Hi Kathrin
I was interested to read your email as when I was a head OT in a forensic service I started looking at the idea of developing a research project around neuro problems, forensic mental health patients and occupation. As part of this, I trained in the BADS (Behavioural Assessment of Dysexecutive Syndrome) - which assesses executive functioning (Thames Valley Test Company - www.tvtc.co.uk). I did not get much further as there was no chance of any funding at the time but quite a few people thought it had potential.
There is quite a bit of literature on the associations between neuro damage, especially frontal lobe damage and offending behaviour.
Some specific papers have been written on this in relation to psychopathic disorders, including in the New Scientist. I cant remember the title but you could try searching via medline or something. I think it was in 2000 or 2001
There is also an interesting book:
Otnow-Lewis, D (1998) Guilty by Reason of Insanity: Inside the minds of killers. London: Arrow
the author is a psychiatrist who assessed people on death row in the USA and concluded that a great percentage had brain damage. She discusses other cases in detail too.
A common conclusion is that anything that damages the frontal lobe causes problems - ie disrupts the brain's natural control mechanisms. This gives the limbic system full reign. Damage can be causd by obvious things like head injury or stroke, but also via chemical damage at key developmental stages (like when a child is very frightened or is undergoing abuse) or during childbirth - oxygen cut off, forceps deliveries, etc. Alcohol and other substances can exacerbate any effects of damage and the combination has been documented in several homicide cases.
Its a really interesting area. Im not sure about any forensic services addressing this at present, so it would be a good thing to get involved with.
Neuro hospitals in generla - I would recommend the 'National' in London and the RNRU at the Homerton Hospital, East London.
Further, if you havent already done so, I would definitely recommend contacting the OT Specialist Section on Neurology, NAROT, - there is information available via the COT website.
Good luck. I look forward to hearing more about your work.
regards
John
John Chacksfield
In a message dated 07/07/2004 15:11:46 GMT Daylight Time, Kathrin.Zein@... writes:
I am an OT working in forensics within The State Hospital Carstairs which provides care and treatment for offenders under conditions of special security. I have an interest in cognitive rehabilitation and am trying to develop my role as link therapist between the OT department and the Neuro Psychology Assessment Team.
As part of this role my aim is to establish an assessment & treatment resource for other staff. I hope to visit a well established unit in this field for a couple of days in order to gain a deeper understanding of types of assessments and interventions used. Is anyone able to help me with this, it would be greatly appreciated.
Kind regards Kathrin Zein (Basic Grade Occupational Therapist)
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