Forensic Psychiatric Evaluations of Juvenile Sexual Offenses and Criminal Responsibility Assessments

Introduction

Adolescent sexual offending is a complex and multifaceted issue; however, existing research is predominantly derived from Western contexts, leading to gaps in understanding these behaviors in underrepresented regions. Criminal characteristics, psychiatric diagnoses, and cognitive factors, which are recognized to affect offending trajectories and reporting patterns, may differ in these underexplored contexts.

Methods

The objective of the research is to categorize male adolescents with a history of perpetration of sexual offenses based on the age of their victims (peer/adult vs. child) and to conduct a comparative analysis of their psychiatric diagnoses, socio-demographic profiles, intelligence scores, and offense characteristics in a forensic setting in Türkiye.

Results

The study includes 119 male juveniles referred for criminal responsibility evaluations—43 with child victims and 76 with peer victims. Both groups displayed borderline to low-average IQ scores, with intellectual disability as a common diagnosis. The most common offence in both groups is qualified sexual assault. In the majority of cases, the initiation of judicial proceedings occurs as a result of the family complaints. Alcohol and substance use disorders were less prevalent than reported in Western samples, potentially reflecting cultural and religious influences. The majority of the perpetrators were school dropouts, suggesting that educational disruptions may have played a significant role in the perpetrators' backgrounds.

Conclusion

The findings highlight the importance of implementing tailored interventions that address cognitive impairments and social skills deficits. Identifying the factors that contribute to school dropout and implementing preventive measures may prove to be an effective strategy for preventing future criminal behavior and promoting healthier adolescent development.