The basis and conditions of non-categorical conclusions in forensic psycho-sexological examination

Abstract

The authors discuss the role and place of non-categorical forms of conclusions in forensic psycho-sexological examination.

The aim of the study – to more precisely define the basis and conditions for formulating conventional and probabilistic conclusions as well as refusal to give an expert opinion.

Material and methods: the analysis of expert opinions over the past two years performed at the V. Serbsky Federal Medical Research Centre. The categorical conclusion about the presence of a disorder of sexual preference based on case records was formulated in 112 cases, probabilistic – in 3 cases, the conclusion that it was impossible to answer expert queries – in 23 cases. A noncontradictory description of sexual behaviour in delicts (denied by the subject under investigation) in criminal case records and the compliance of this description with the clinical pattern of disorder of sexual preference may serve as the basis for formulating probabilistic conclusions. The results of paraclinical methods (psychological, psychophysiological) tend to enhance the probability of conclusions. Refusals to give an expert opinion are due to the contradictory nature of subjects of investigation, an irreplaceable shortage of information and the current mental state of the subjects.