The Field Of Forensic Psychiatry

By Gary Ward


Psychiatry as a field of medicine also has other sub-specialties under it. One of those sub-specialties is forensic psychiatry, which is also closely related to criminology. For the purpose of this article, the abbreviation FP will be used. FP is a field that interfaces the fields of psychiatry and law. Specialists in this field are referred to as forensic psychiatrists. They do many tasks in the court and law enforcement systems.

The work of forensic psychiatrists involves determining if defendants are in a position to be tried a court of law. Sentencing is often done based on the recommendations they provide. Defendants can also hire these professionals to work as expert witnesses to assist with their case. CST and MSO are the two areas encompassed in criminal evaluations. Competency to stand trial is abbreviated as CST while mental state during time of offence is abbreviated as MSO.

Competency to Stand Trial evaluates the mental capacity of an individual to understand the charges they face in a court. Besides providing the aforementioned evaluation, it also seeks to prove if the individual has the level of sanity needed to help their lawyer with fighting the case. In the constitution of the US, this provision falls under the Fifth Amendment. Under the provision, one should be able to assist the attorney in preparing defense, face their accuser, and be present during their trial.

In civil and/or criminal lawsuits, FP psychiatric professionals may be called upon to serve as expert witnesses. Here, they present report to the jury or judge with their opinion on the case matter. The final verdict may be made basing on the opinion offered by the expert witness.

These psychiatrists may also be hired to formulate an opinion regarding the state of mind a person was in when they committed a certain crime. The goal here is to ascertain if the defendant knew that there actions were of a criminal nature when they committed them. The application of this psychiatric knowledge from state to state, with some states rejecting it altogether.

There are three standards upon which psychiatrists base their reasoning to determine mental fitness. The three are MNaghten rules, Durham rule, and ALI test. These standards may often result in a ruling where the defendant is not charged with criminal conduct on the basis of their mental health. It is determined that the individual did not possess the necessary mental capacity know that their actions were of a criminal nature.

In court trial where a psychiatrist has been hired to determine mental fitness, both the prosecution and the defense will have their own psychiatrists. Psychiatrists are also employed to take care of prisoners in jail as well as prison. In addition, they also provide care for mentally ill individuals who not been charged with criminal conduct on the basis of mental unfitness.

The risk management profession is adopting FP at a high rate. FP is used to avoid future risks by placing suspected or potential offenders under the supervision of forensic psychiatric professionals. The professionals usually work as a team comprised of nurses, psychologists, care workers, and psychiatrists.




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