Author(s)

Saima Majeed^*

Punjab Institute of Mental Health, Lahore, Pakistan.

The relationship between mental illnesses and criminal behavior is a topic of debate for last many years. It is a popular thinking that people with mental illnesses are more vulnerable towards aggression, violence, and other criminal acts. The aim of the present study was to examine the manifestation of psychological disorders in cases referred to Punjab Institute of Mental Health (PIMH), Lahore Pakistan for forensic psychological assessment. The archival data from the year 2017 to 2019 of cases was obtained from patient clerk of PIMH. Results indicated that total cases that reported were 174. More men (f = 145, 83.3%) were reported for forensic assessment as compared to women (f = 29, 16.7%). As far as residential area was concerned more cases came from urban areas (f = 94, 54%) as compared to rural areas (f = 80, 46%). The most reported criminal act was a threat to harm and murder. The aggression and murder cases were more reported from rural background. Intellectual disability (f = 56, 32.2%) and schizophrenia (f = 51, 29.3%) was the highest reported diagnosis. Intellectual disability was reported more from urban background whereas schizophrenia reported more from rural background. Chi-square results showed significant relationship between criminal acts and psychiatric illnesses, significant relationship between gender and criminal behavior as well as psychological illness was also found. Likewise, analysis of residential areas showed the difference between urban and rural areas regarding illness as well as criminal acts. The important implication of the present research was in the field of forensic psychology and legal system.

Medico-Legal Cases, Forensic Assessment, Psychiatric Disorder, Criminal Behaviour

Majeed, S. (2020) Manifestation of Psychological Disorders in Medico-Legal Cases. Psychology, 11, 993-1004. doi: 10.4236/psych.2020.117064.