Left Temporal Lobe Athrophy and Judgement Ability

A 31-year-old male who had committed tax offence was referred to the psychiatric clinic at our hospital by prosecution office for the evaluation of his criminal capacity. As it could not be possible to make a decision in the outpatient clinic setting, the accused was hospitalized for further investigation. It was realized that he was different from others since his childhood, sometimes exhibited childish behaviors, he could not take reasonable decisions, and he could not gain a place in society. Magnetic resonance images of the brain revealed left temporal lobe atrophy. The case has been brought up for discussion in terms of the relationship of left temporal lobe atrophy with criminal capacity and its role in the judgment process. (Arc-hi-ves of Neu-ropsy-chi-atry 2012; 49: 224-227)