Incidence of Law-Violating Behavior in a Community Sample of Children and Adolescents with Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract

A survey was conducted with children and adolescents (N = 69) who had traumatic brain injury (TBI) and attended a community-based program of education and neurorehabilitation to determine the incidence of law-violating behavior subsequent to sustaining trauma. Thirteen categories of offenses were identified: alcohol use, animal cruelty, breaking and entering, indecent exposure, fire setting, paraphilia, physical assault, sexual assault, substance use, theft, truancy, vandalism, and vehicular homicide. Approximately one third of the sample had documented violations, and of this group, 72% had two or more incidents. Of the individuals who committed offenses, 90% were male. There were no differences in the type of TBI between the groups who did and did not have a history of law violations. The forensic concerns presented by children and adolescents with TBI are discussed.

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