Objective: This paper provides an overview of the subspecialty of forensic psychiatry. Method: A review of recent literature in the field of forensic psychiatry was undertaken, with emphasis on current publications. Results: Forensic psychiatry encompasses legal issues, such as fitness to stand trial, criminal responsibility, medical negligence, expert testimony; criminal issues such as aggression and violence, homicide and sex offending; civil issues such as competence, workers' compensation, mental health act legislation and guardianship; ethical issues such as informed consent, confidentiality, euthanasia, and research. Special areas of interest include suicide, malingering and child and aged forensic psychiatry. Conclusion: Areas such as violence and ethics have received considerable attention, but much research needs to be done in the areas of child and aged forensic psychiatry, suicide prevention, sex offender treatment, criminal responsibility and civil compensation.

Item Type:	Letter or Note in Journal
Research Division:	Medical and Health Sciences
Research Group:	Clinical Sciences
Research Field:	Psychiatry (incl. Psychotherapy)
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health)
Objective Field:	Mental Health
Author:	Jager, AD (Dr Alan Jager)
ID Code:	17072
Year Published:	1999
Deposited By:	Psychiatry
Deposited On:	1999-08-01
Last Modified:	2000-02-01
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