Statistics on Forensic Psychiatry

In Finland, a Forensic Psychiatric examination is ordered by the court. The results of the examination include a statement on the perpetrator’s criminal responsibility during the time of the crime and an assessment of the need for psychiatric treatment at the time of the end of the examination.

Between 2010 and 2019, THL has handled, on average, 91 Forensic Psychiatric examination reports prepared in hospitals each year. Since 2015, the yearly average has been 91; in 2019, the number was 103.

The percentage of women being examined has been ca. 14 %. Each year, there have been 1-5 minors, two on average. In 20198, there were bo minors. Most of the examinees have committed homicide or another violent offence.

During the past years, most of the examinations have been performed in Niuvanniemi Hospital, over half of them in 2019. The second-most frequent location is Vanha Vaasa Hospital, ca. 29 % in 2019. Both are state Forensic Psychiatric hospitals.

Criminal responsibility is defined as a person’s capability to comprehend the true or illegal nature of her/his actions or the capability to control her/his actions during the time of the crime. In 2019, the Board assessed most of the perpetrators examined in hospitals to have been fully responsible, ca. 45 %, while 45% were assessed as criminally irresponsible and 10% with diminished responsibility.

In 2019, THL ordered 45 perpetrators into involuntary hospital treatment. Forensic Psychiatric treatment usually continues for several years. The patient’s mental health status must be assessed regularly during the treatment. In addition to the treatment, individual matters also affect recovery.

Usually, when the Forensic Psychiatric treatment ends, the person has been on a so-called surveillance period. She/he has practiced living in the community. In 2019, 35 patients started their first surveillance period and surveillance was continued for 87 patients. THL ended the Forensic Psychiatric treatment of 15 patients. Each year, some patients die, and sometimes the Administrative Court does not ratify the treatment, and thus it ends.