Abstract
<p><strong>Introduction.</strong> Limited information regarding the relation between psychopathology associated with epilepsy, crime and the legal aspects thereof is available in South Africa.</p><p><strong>Objectives:</strong> The demographic, clinical and forensic profile of alleged offenders diagnosed with epilepsy and referred to the Free State Psychiatric Complex (FSPC) Observation Unit from 2001 to 2006, was investigated. Design A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted.</p><p><strong> Results:</strong> Of the 69 alleged offenders, aged 17–79 years (median 30 years), 94.2% were male, 81.2% Black, 72.5% single, and 69.9% unemployed. The median qualification was grade six. Offences were violent in nature and committed against a person in 75% of cases. A direct link between epilepsy and the alleged offences occurred in 7% of cases. Generalised epilepsy (34.8%) and interictal psychosis (20.3%) were the most commonly diagnosed conditions. Twenty-nine (42%) alleged offenders lacked criminal responsibility and were not fit to stand trial. Most observati (79.2%) diagnosed with generalised epilepsy were criminally liable and fit to stand trial. The highest rate of criminal incapacity was found among observati with interictal psychoses (85.7%) and comorbid mental retardation (90%). Almost 60% of referred cases were declared as state patients by the court.</p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> In only 16% of cases, observati were found unaccountable because of epilepsy (automatisms) or postictal confusional states. Our findings confirmed an increased prevalence of violent behaviour during seizure-free periods. This contributes to evidence that factors associated with epilepsy, rather than the epilepsy itself, play an important role in the possible increased risk of violent behaviour in people with epilepsy.</p>
Highlights
Our findings confirmed an increased prevalence of violent behaviour during seizure-free periods. This contributes to the evidence that factors associated with epilepsy, rather than epilepsy itself, play an important role in the possible increased risk of violent behaviour in people with epilepsy
Limited information regarding the relationship between psychopathology associated with epilepsy, crime and the legal aspects thereof is available in South Africa
There was a direct link between epilepsy and the alleged offences in 7% of cases
Summary
The demographic, clinical and forensic profile of alleged offenders diagnosed with epilepsy and referred to the Free State Psychiatric Complex Observation Unit from 2001 to 2006 was investigated
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