A Comparison Study of Forensic Epileptic Patients With Mentally Disordered Offenders
- Characteristics and Epilepsy in Criminal Acts -

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 14(1); 1996 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 1996;14(1): 164-175.

범법간질환자와 정신질환자와의 비교연구- 범죄특성과 간질 -

이상봉, 박경우*, 김재문**, 이애영**, 정진상***

법무부 치료감호소 신경과·정신과*, 충남대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실**, 삼성의료원 신경과***

A Comparison Study of Forensic Epileptic Patients With Mentally Disordered Offenders - Characteristics and Epilepsy in Criminal Acts -

Sang-Bong Lee, M.D., Kyung-Woo Park, M.D.*, Jae-Moon Kim, M.D.**, Ae-Young Lee, M.D.**, Chin-Sang Chung, M.D.***

Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry*, Instiution of Forensic Psychiatry, Ministry of Justice Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University**; Department of Neurology, Samsung Medical Center***

Abstract

Research objective : Epileptic patient's crime rate has been increasing. Causes of such increasing crime rate by epileptic patients are attribute to many factors. To clarify uncertain causative role of epilepsy in crime, analyzed the characteristics of their epilepsy and criminal acts. Methods : Medical records, documentations of Justice Department, EEG, Brain CT, and psychiatric tests (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, BIS) of 22 forensic epileptics and 20 forensic psychopathic patients were reviewed. Demograhic features, socioeconomic status, associated psychiatric illness, and characteristics: of epilepsy and criminal acts were analyzed. Results : All patients were male and the most frequent seizure type found Complex Partial Seizure (CPS) in 14 patients. Nine lateralized patients had right-sided Ictal discharges. Ten patients showed postictal aggression but only one patient committed crime during his postictal confusion state. Intervals between the first seizure and their criminal act were relatively long(14.6 ± 4.81 years) and compliance prior to their crime was mostly poor. Thirteen epileptic offenders had psychopathic disorders, which may or may be associated with epilepsy. Characteristics of their criminal acts were remarkably different from psychopathic patients. Conclusions : Peri-ictal events are rarely associated with crime. 4 complex interplay of organic factors and socially mediated factors such as underlying personality change or psychiatric disorders may play a role in criminal acts of epileptic patients.