Different Aspects Of Forensic Psychiatry

By Robert McDonald


Psychiatry and psychology have always been popular majors. When it comes to forensic psychiatry, interest is more limited. As a sub-specialty, it is a subsection of psychiatry involved with criminology. Psychiatry looks at the evolution and condition of the mind. Whereas, this aspect combines the legal and medical ramifications of a crime. By combining these two fields, these psychiatrists can often determine a number of facts related to a crime or crime scene.

Those working in this field provide important psychological testing. In addition, these individuals work to help solve crimes by either interviewing witnesses or visiting a crime scene. Some good programming to watch on cable and network television is that of Dexter on HBO, or Criminal Minds on broadcast television. Each of these programs provide different tasks completed by individuals working in this area.

While some of these individuals work primarily as police psychiatrists, others work in the courts. When an individual working in the court finds a suspect incompetent to stand trial, the individual is often placed in treatment. After which, a secondary evaluation will follow. If found competent, then most likely a trial will be set for a later time.

Providing views related to guilt or innocence based on mental capacity is another aspect of an expert witness. These individuals are often called as an expert witness when a judge or jury can not understand the facts of a case. At which time, the psychiatrist is asked to provide a detailed opinion in the case. In most cases, these individuals have already submitted a report relating this information to the court.

Whether civil or criminal, these individuals can be called as an expert witness. Sometimes it is to give an opinion on a specific issue. At other times, it can be to declare the mental well being of a suspect. Whatever the case, an expert witness will have already prepared and submitted a lengthy report detailing the medical condition of the suspect. After which, the judge must consider this opinion to determine whether not an individual is competent to stand trial.

While this is the case, these type psychiatrists are only allowed to testify if and when facts can not be understood by judge or jury. When testifying, these individuals will be asked to form an opinion based solely on the facts of a case. The psychiatrist must include the approaches, concepts and methods used to determine each and every opinion in a case.

As stated, this is only an opinion as to whether not the the individual understood an action or actions at the time the crime was committed. Different states have different laws governing the use of expert witnesses. In most cases, if a person is found incompetent to stand trial, jail sentences will either be shortened or eliminated.

Court rulings based on the opinion of expert witnesses, and facts in a case are often accurate. Three standards are often used to make this determination. First, whether or not the individual has a mental illness. Second, whether or not the person understood any actions committed during a crime. Lastly, whether the crime was committed solely due to a severe mental disorder.




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