ABSTRACT

In this studv, it was aimed to determine the socio-demo-graphic features and some clinical factors in connection with the claim of committing erime of the children being 1115 years old, sent for the evaluation of criminal responsi-bility, and to review the similar studies in literatüre. The socio-deıııographic features of 33 cases sent to the Depart-ments of Forcnsic Medicine and Psychiatry, Cumhuriyet University, Medical School, between 01.05.1999-01.12.1999 for the evaluation of criminal responsibility are examined. "Socio-deıııographic Information Inquiry", "Depression Scale for Children" and "Childhood Abuse and Neglect Inqııiry" prepared for the children were evaluııted DSM-1V diagnostic criteria was used for conduct clisorder and sııb-stance abuse. 93.4 % of the cases were male. The crime-committed areas were Zara and Kangal \vith a 30.3 % for each and followed by Divriği with a 27.3 %. Of the types of erime, 42.6 % was robbery. Of the cases, 48.5 % had conı-mitted erime intentionally and 45.5 % had committed erime collectively. The types of childhood abuse \vere emotional abuse with 60.6 %. plıysical abuse with 45.5 % and neglect 36.1 %. The percentage of depression vvas 27.3 and conduct disorder \vas found to be 3.

In conclusion, the highness of rates of depression and childhood abuse is considered such as the depression and the childhood abuse are risc factors for juvenil delinquen-cy.

Keywords: Juvenile delinquency, penal responsibility, depression, conduct disorder, childhood abuse, neglect.