NCJ Number
12093
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 18 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1973) Pages: 60-68
Date Published
1973
Length
9 pages
Annotation
CRITIQUE OF PSYCHIATRIST'S ROLE AS WITNESS AND THERAPIST, AND REVIEW OF THE DYNAMICS OF THE CONFLICT BETWEEN LAW AND PSYCHIATRY.
Abstract
THE FAILURE OF LEGAL PSYCHIATRY IS ATTRIBUTED TO MISUNDERSTANDINGS BETWEEN LEGAL AND PSYCHIATRIC PROFESSIONALS OVER SEMANTICS AND TERMINOLOGY, DIFFERENCES IN PHILOSOPHY AND ORIENTATION, MUTUAL IGNORANCE, PROBLEMS OF ROLE DEFINITION, AND INABILITY TO RETAIN HIGHLY QUALIFIED PSYCHIATRISTS. THE TRADITIONAL PSYCHIATRIC ROLE IN INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENT, EVALUATION OF 'INSANITY' AND COMPETENCE TO STAND TRIAL, AS WELL AS DETERMINATION OF SEXUAL DEVIATION AND CHILD CUSTODY IS PRESENTED AS THEORETICALLY INDEFENSIBLE AND ITS CONTINUED ASSUMPTION SEEN AS PERPETUATING NEGATIVE OUTCOMES. PSYCHIATRISTS ARE CHALLENGED TO CONCENTRATE THEIR EFFORTS ON THE ENLIGHTENED HANDLING AND REHABILITATION OF THE OFFENDER.