What is forensic psychiatry?
Forensic psychiatrists work at the interface between mental disorder and the law.
The American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law (AAPL) describes forensic psychiatry as a medical subspecialty that applies scientific and clinical psychiatric expertise to civil, criminal, correctional and legislative matters. But what does that really mean?
Forensic psychiatrists work at the interface between mental disorder and the law. They’re called upon at by legal and other professionals to render opinions on the relationship between mental state and offense, as well as the practical aspects of psychiatric diagnosis and treatment.
For example, a forensic psychiatrist may be called upon for such activities as:
- Determining fitness for duty.
- Evaluating an individual’s competence to stand trial.
- Assessing healthcare policy and procedures.’
- Ascertaining mental health matters in civil litigation.
- Examining the role of mental disorders in the legal offense.
- Oversight of an individual’s treatment.
- Risk assessments to determine the level of security for a detained person.
Dr. Wills unique qualifications
Dr. Wills is Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University. She has practiced adult, child and forensic psychiatry and has been involved in organized medicine for more than 25 years. Dr. Wills has taught courses and presented more than 50 lectures and seminars on psychiatry and law in the U.S. and abroad. She consulted for the U.S. Department of Justice, the Southern Center for Human Rights, disability rights organizations, federal and regional courts, and attorneys representing corporate and individual plaintiffs and defendants in criminal and civil litigation. Dr. Wills also supervises psychiatrists and trains adult psychiatry residents and fellows in child and forensic psychiatry.