Self-Tattooing from a Forensic Medicine Perspective: Its Relationship with Self-Harm, Psychopathy, and Criminal Patterns

Ahmet Depreli; Faruk Aşıcıoğlu; Abdulkadir Tabo

Makale detayları

Self-Tattooing from a Forensic Medicine Perspective: Its Relationship with Self-Harm, Psychopathy, and Criminal Patterns

Yazarlar:

Ahmet Depreli | Faruk Aşıcıoğlu | Abdulkadir Tabo

Yayıncı:

Selcuk University

Ana Başlıklar:

Adli Tıp

Dergi:

Genel Tıp Dergisi Vol.35 Issue 4, pp.714-727

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

8/2025

Belge Dili:

İngilizce

Document ID (Org No.):

2001356609

pISSN:

2602-3741

Anahtar kelimeler:

Özet:

 ABSTRACT Aim: This study aims to examine self-inflicted tattooing behaviors performed by individuals using primitive tools such as sewing needles and to evaluate the sociodemographic, psychological, and criminal characteristics associated with this group. Methods: The study was conducted in 2020 with 200 tattooed individuals whose criminal responsibility was under forensic evaluation. Participants who exhibited self-inflicted tattooing behavior n  66 and those who did not n  134 were assessed through semi-structured interviews and psychometric tests. The applied scales included the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11, Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale LRSP, Body Image Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Hamilton Anxiety Scale HAM-A. Results: Participants in the self-inflicted tattoo group were more likely to have lower educational attainment, irregular or no work history, institutional upbringing, and earlier exposure to crime. Psychometric evaluations revealed significantly higher levels of impulsivity, psychopathic tendencies, anxiety, negative body image, and lower self-esteem in this group. All individuals with self-inflicted tattoos reported at least one form of self-harming behavior. Conclusion: Self-inflicted tattooing is not merely an aesthetic choice but may reflect deeper psychosocial problems and criminal risk factors. These tattoos can provide valuable clues regarding an individuals psychological profile and life history during forensic assessments. Thus, systematic inclusion of self-inflicted tattoo evaluation in medico-legal examinations is recommended.

 ABSTRACT Aim: This study aims to examine self-inflicted tattooing behaviors performed by individuals using primitive tools such as sewing needles and to evaluate the sociodemographic, psychological, and criminal characteristics associated with this group. Methods: The study was conducted in 2020 with 200 tattooed individuals whose criminal responsibility was under forensic evaluation. Participants who exhibited self-inflicted tattooing behavior n  66 and those who did not n  134 were assessed through semi-structured interviews and psychometric tests. The applied scales included the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11, Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale LRSP, Body Image Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Hamilton Anxiety Scale HAM-A. Results: Participants in the self-inflicted tattoo group were more likely to have lower educational attainment, irregular or no work history, institutional upbringing, and earlier exposure to crime. Psychometric evaluations revealed significantly higher levels of impulsivity, psychopathic tendencies, anxiety, negative body image, and lower self-esteem in this group. All individuals with self-inflicted tattoos reported at least one form of self-harming behavior. Conclusion: Self-inflicted tattooing is not merely an aesthetic choice but may reflect deeper psychosocial problems and criminal risk factors. These tattoos can provide valuable clues regarding an individuals psychological profile and life history during forensic assessments. Thus, systematic inclusion of self-inflicted tattoo evaluation in medico-legal examinations is recommended.

 ABSTRACT Aim: This study aims to examine self-inflicted tattooing behaviors performed by individuals using primitive tools such as sewing needles and to evaluate the sociodemographic, psychological, and criminal characteristics associated with this group. Methods: The study was conducted in 2020 with 200 tattooed individuals whose criminal responsibility was under forensic evaluation. Participants who exhibited self-inflicted tattooing behavior n  66 and those who did not n  134 were assessed through semi-structured interviews and psychometric tests. The applied scales included the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11, Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale LRSP, Body Image Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Hamilton Anxiety Scale HAM-A. Results: Participants in the self-inflicted tattoo group were more likely to have lower educational attainment, irregular or no work history, institutional upbringing, and earlier exposure to crime. Psychometric evaluations revealed significantly higher levels of impulsivity, psychopathic tendencies, anxiety, negative body image, and lower self-esteem in this group. All individuals with self-inflicted tattoos reported at least one form of self-harming behavior. Conclusion: Self-inflicted tattooing is not merely an aesthetic choice but may reflect deeper psychosocial problems and criminal risk factors. These tattoos can provide valuable clues regarding an individuals psychological profile and life history during forensic assessments. Thus, systematic inclusion of self-inflicted tattoo evaluation in medico-legal examinations is recommended.

 Amaç: Bu çalışma, bireylerin kendi vücutlarına dikiş iğnesi gibi ilkel araçlarla yaptıkları öz-dövmeleri inceleyerek, bu grubun sosyodemografik, psikolojik ve kriminal özelliklerini değerlendirmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışma, 2020 yılında cezai sorumluluğu değerlendirilen 200 dövmeli birey ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Öz-dövme davranışı sergileyen n66 ve sergilemeyen n134 bireyler yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmeler ve psikometrik testlerle değerlendirilmiştir. Ölçekler arasında Barratt Dürtüsellik Ölçeği-11, Levenson Öz Bildirim Psikopati Ölçeği, Beden Algısı Ölçeği, Rosenberg Benlik Saygısı Ölçeği ve Hamilton Anksiyete Değerlendirme Ölçeği yer almaktadır. Bulgular: Öz-dövmelerin tamamı dikiş iğnesi ile yapılmış olup, genellikle el sırtı ve ön kol iç yüzü gibi dominant olmayan vücut bölgelerine yerleştirilmiştir. Öz-dövme grubunda eğitim düzeyi düşüklüğü, düzensiz veya hiç çalışma öyküsü, aile dışı kurumsal bakımda büyüme ve daha erken yaşta suçla tanışma gibi risk faktörleri daha sık görülmüştür. Psikolojik değerlendirmelerde ise öz-dövmesi olan bireylerin, diğer gruba kıyasla anlamlı düzeyde daha yüksek dürtüsellik, psikopatik eğilim, anksiyete, olumsuz beden algısı ve düşük benlik saygısı gösterdiği belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca bu bireylerin tamamının en az bir tür kendine zarar verici davranış geçmişi bulunduğu görülmüştür. Sonuç: Öz-dövme davranışı yalnızca estetik bir tercih değil, psikososyal sorunların ve kriminal riskin dışavurumu olarak değerlendirilmelidir. Öz-dövmeler, adli tıpta bireyin yaşam öyküsü, ruhsal durumu ve davranış örüntüleri hakkında önemli ipuçları sunabilecek niteliktedir. Bu bağlamda, öz-dövmelerin adli değerlendirme süreçlerine sistematik şekilde dâhil edilmesi önerilmektedir.

Makale detayları

Self-Tattooing from a Forensic Medicine Perspective: Its Relationship with Self-Harm, Psychopathy, and Criminal Patterns

Yazarlar:

Ahmet Depreli | Faruk Aşıcıoğlu | Abdulkadir Tabo

Yayıncı:

Selcuk University

Ana Başlıklar:

Adli Tıp

Dergi:

Genel Tıp Dergisi Vol.35 Issue 4, pp.714-727

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

8/2025

Belge Dili:

İngilizce

Document ID (Org No.):

2001356609

pISSN:

2602-3741

Tattooing

Self-injurious behavior

Impulsive Behavior

Self ConceptDövme

Kendine zarar verme davranışı

Dürtüsel davranış

Benlik saygısı

Sayı

Makale detayları

Yazarlar: Ahmet Depreli | Faruk Aşıcıoğlu | Abdulkadir Tabo

Yayıncı: Selcuk University

Ana Başlıklar: Adli Tıp

Dergi: Genel Tıp Dergisi Vol.35 Issue 4, pp.714-727

Belge Tipi: Makale

Yayın Tarihi: 8/2025

Belge Dili: İngilizce

Document ID (Org No.): 2001356609

pISSN: 2602-3741

Sayı

Yazarlar:

Ahmet Depreli | Faruk Aşıcıoğlu | Abdulkadir Tabo

Yayıncı:

Selcuk University

Ana Başlıklar:

Adli Tıp

Dergi:

Genel Tıp Dergisi Vol.35 Issue 4, pp.714-727

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

8/2025

Belge Dili:

İngilizce

Document ID (Org No.):

2001356609

pISSN:

2602-3741