Abstract: Objective To explore the feasibility of the criminal responsibility rating scale for suspects with mental retardation. Methods Ninety six suspects with mental retardation were evaluated by trained professionals according to the scale,and the results were compared to the expert's opinion. Results The scores of three groups (no,diminished,and responsibility group) were 12.25±2.06,28.62±4.57,44.41±5.17 respectively and were significant different among them. All items had statistical correlation with the total score of the scale. Five factors were extracted by means of the factor analysis and they could explain 70.919% of the variation. The accuracy of retrospective cumulative square was 92.7%. Conclusion The Criminal Responsibility Rating Scale has good reliability and validity,and can be used as a reference in assessment of criminal responsibility.

Key words: forensic psychiatry, mental retardation, criminal responsibility, rating scale