Doctors taking a closer look at crime by veterans

Doctors taking a closer look at crime by veterans
By MOLLY BORN
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Published: November 10, 2012

PITTSBURGH — Crime committed by veterans appears to be an increasing problem, but doctors who broadly attribute it to PTSD could be ignoring other important factors.

Medical professionals weren't sure why some veterans are at an increased risk for arrest, notes a study published last month in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, but many supposed those with post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury would show higher rates of criminal arrests.

"We have to go beyond PTSD if we want to have answers to these questions," said forensic psychiatrist and professor at New York University Michael Welner, who spoke on the subject Friday at Duquesne University's Cyril W. Wecht Institute of Forensic Science and Law.

He was not an author of the study but referenced it in his presentation during the two-day conference, "Post-Combat Problems in the 21st Century."

Dr. Welner said getting stuck in "a box of PTSD" and traumatic brain injury doesn't account for potential causal factors, such as criminal and drug histories.

To suggest war makes a veteran more at risk of committing violent crimes is disparaging and rebuffs important values they have learned in the military, Dr. Welner said. Murder and shocking crimes by veterans are, in fact, exceptionally low, he said.
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