Objective: To explore diagnosis and management of "unspecified psychotic disorder" in determination of criminal responsibility.
Methods: Analysis of 12 cases of "unspecified psychotic disorder" during determination of criminal responsibility in Sichuan Forensic Expertise Center in Southwest China from January 2006 to July 2007.
Results: The main reason to diagnose unspecified psychotic disorder was there were insufficient information and findings . Descriptions of mental abnormalities were not complete and were atypical (83.3%). Even if "unspecified psychotic disorder" was diagnosed, it was still possible to determine criminal responsibility by its motivation and intention to escape. 75% suspects were determined to bear limited criminal responsibility and 25% were not criminally responsible.
Conclusion: The unspecified psychotic disorder is a provisional diagnosis. It should be used cautiously in the course of jurisdictional identification of mental diseases.