Mental Health Characteristics of Offenders with Intellectual Disability in Türkiye

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Arslan Akarsu D., Emin Boylu M., Cansunar F. N.

Journal of Forensic Psychology Research and Practice, 2025 (SSCI)

• Publication Type: Article / Article
• Publication Date: 2025
• Doi Number: 10.1080/24732850.2025.2541204
• Journal Name: Journal of Forensic Psychology Research and Practice
• Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus
• Keywords: Criminal responsibility, forensic psychiatry, intellectual disability, mental illness, Türkiye
• Istanbul University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Intellectual disability (ID) involves below-average cognitive functioning and adaptive difficulties, impacting legal responsibility. This study examined 124 forensic reports (2017–2022) from the Council of Forensic Medicine in Türkiye involving individuals with ID diagnosed with reduced or no criminal responsibility. Most subjects were male; mild ID was associated with sexual crimes, while violent crimes were more frequent in moderate ID. Unemployment and comorbid conditions were significantly higher in moderate ID cases. A relationship was found between ID severity and crime characteristics. Preventing criminal behavior in individuals with ID requires a multidisciplinary approach including education, social skill development, and targeted rehabilitation programs.