The psychological and legal aftermath of false arrest and imprisonment.
False arrest and imprisonment can be an extraordinarily stressful psychological trauma. This is clearly demonstrated in the evaluation of forensic cases alleging false arrest and imprisonment, a review of the recent forensic psychiatric literature and reported legal cases. A clinical vignette is presented that illustrates the psychological trauma and sequelae associated with false arrest and imprisonment. Psychiatric treatment of these individuals is discussed. A number of these cases are litigated.
Simon
R I
RI
Program in Psychiatry and Law, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC.
D003416:Criminal Law; D005607:Fraud / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology; D006708:Homicide / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D011330:Prisons / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012926:Social Control, Formal; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D014754:Violence