Clinical aspects of forensic assessment of juvenile offenders

Juvenile delinquency is a major public health problem with far reaching consequences not only on the child and the family but also on society generally. Although most individuals who commit crimes as adolescents will stop by age 18, a core group of young offenders go on to be chronic adult recidivists. The group at risk can be identified by early onset and frequency of deviant and delinquent behaviors. This group is associated with impoverished environments, inadequate financial and social resources, family dysfunction, exposure to violent abuse and neglect, genetic loading for psychiatric disorder, and parental criminality. Because of the combination of social disadvantages and externalizing behaviors, this group is difficult to evaluate and treat in normal mental health settings. Court-mandated assessment and treatment offer a unique opportunity to access this high-risk group and provide services not otherwise available. Assessments of severely conduct-disordered children reveal significant levels of co-occurring psychiatric disorders. Thorough assessment to evaluate underlying psychopathology may reveal treatable disorders that may greatly improve general functioning and reduce further recidivism.