What is Forensic Psychiatry?

"Forensic Psychiatry is a subspecialty of psychiatry in which scientific and clinical expertise is applied in legal contexts involving civil, criminal, correctional, regulatory or legislative matters, and in specialized clinical consultations in areas such as risk assessment or employment."

-- The Ethics Guidelines for the Practice of Forensic Psychiatry
The American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law (AAPL)
(adopted in May 2005)
 

Forensic psychiatry is at the intersection of psychiatry and the law. Forensic psychiatrists apply their knowledge of medicine and behavioral sciences, acting as consultants or expert witnesses, to render an objective opinion within a reasonable degree of medical certainty.

Forensic psychiatrists provide consultative services to criminal defense/prosecution, civil litigation, court-appointed evaluations, private organizations, legislature, advocacy groups, and the media, amongst others.