Clinical and psychological characteristics of adolescents who committed sabotage-related acts

<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Context and relevance.</strong> Despite a decline in juvenile delinquency over recent decades, the number of sabotage acts committed by minors has increased sharply in recent years. This phenomenon and its contributing factors are discussed by legal scholars primarily from the perspective of criminal law qualification and prevention. However, little attention has so far been paid to the clinical and psychological characteristics of minors, and the subjective aspects of the commission of such crimes have been largely overlooked. <strong>Objective.</strong> To describe the clinical and psychological characteristics of minors involved by adult organizers in the commission of sabotage activities. <strong>Methods.</strong> A qualitative descriptive analysis of the mental state and development of minors, the mechanisms of their involvement in sabotage activities, and the leading motivations underlying adolescents’ actions was conducted. The study was based on materials from comprehensive forensic psychological and psychiatric examinations (CFPPE) of minors who committed acts of sabotage. <strong>Results.</strong> The study analyzes legal scholars’ views on the problem of sabotage committed by minors and identifies key positions regarding the age of criminal responsibility, criminal law qualification, and prevention of such acts. Using empirical data from CFPPE, information is presented on the presence of mental disorders in some examinees, as well as on potential and actual factors contributing to minors’ involvement in sabotage activities. A distinct category of adolescents who committed destructive acts under conditions of deception and manipulation mediated by digital devices is identified; factors influencing their behavior and the possibilities for legal qualification of such acts are discussed. The role of expert examinations in obtaining information necessary for criminal law assessment and preventive work is described. <strong>Conclusions.</strong> A differentiated approach to the legal assessment and prevention of sabotage-related actions is required, taking into account the clinical and psychological characteristics of the adolescents who commit them. Comprehensive forensic psychological and psychiatric examinations of juvenile defendants represent an important tool for such differentiation. Special attention should be paid to the training of qualified specialists for conducting expert assessments.</p>