Forensic Psychiatry: An Introduction

Abstract

This article presents an overview of forensic psychiatry and the scope of work for forensic psychiatrists. Forensic psychiatrists are trained physicians in general psychiatry who then subspecialize in forensic psychiatry. The practice of forensic psychiatry requires learning important differences between forensic and clinical practice. Forensic psychiatrists’ practice involves four scopes or areas of practice: (1) criminal law, (2) civil law, (3) correctional psychiatry, and (4) community/public psychiatry. These areas are discussed in this article.