Stalking and its forensic psychiatric assessment

Introduction Stalking, a dangerous persecution, gained attention because of persecution of celebrities by fans suffering by mental disorders. In psychiatry, there is no consensus about the exact definition of stalking, because it can result from many different motivations and constellations of psychopathological symptoms. Objective The authors provide an overview of the current state of stalking, i.e. dangerous persecution as a new crime in Slovakia. They describe the characteristics of stalkers (persecutors), victims and their interaction in their forensic psychiatric practice. Method Search in authoru0027s expert reports were conducted on stalking. Analysis of motivations, mechanisms of persecutions and analysis of psychopathological symptoms and mental disorders in stalkers and their victims were made. Results Stalkers and their victims are a heterogeneous group with different psychopathology and mental disorders including personality disorders and psychosis. The authors document general principles of forensic psychiatric assessment of stalkers as crime offenders. Conclusion Stalking is problem also in forensic psychiatric practice also in Slovakia. Stalkers who suffer from mental disorders require adequate diagnostic and psychiatric treatment also in forced setting.