Forensic psychiatry is an interface between psychiatry and law; it is a medical subspecialty in which the field of psychiatry is applied to legal issues.
The definition of Forensic Psychiatry adopted by the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law as expressed in their ethical guidelines is as follows:
“Forensic psychiatry is a subspecialty in psychiatry in which scientific and clinical expertise is applied to legal issues in legal contexts embracing civil, criminal, and correctional or legislative matters.”
Some examples of Forensic Psychiatry case evaluations and/or reports that Dr. Jackson has recently been involved with have included:
• Fitness (Competency) to Stand Trial
• Orders of Retention for Involuntary Hospitalization
• Medication to be given Over Objection
• Guardianship & Competency Evaluations
• Medical Records Review
• Psychiatric Malpractice
• Psychiatric Disability
• Independent Medical Examinations evaluations for:
o Psychiatric disability
o Depression and Anxiety Disorders
o Psychotic Disorders
o Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
o Fitness for/return to work/duty
o Psychiatric liability claims
o Criminal Responsibility
o Sexual Abuse/Harassment
o Alcohol and/or Drug Abuse
The above are only a few examples of how the psychiatric expert witness can be of assistance in legal field. An excellent resource for further information in the field of Forensic psychiatry is the site: www.reidpsychiatry.com