Forensic Psychiatrist - San Jose, CA

What is Forensic Psychiatry?

Forensic psychiatry is a branch of psychiatry that partners with the criminal justice and legal systems. Forensic psychiatrists assist in civil litigation or criminal prosecution by conducting assessments of individuals who are involved in a legal case. People evaluated by forensic psychiatrists, however, are not necessarily offenders; they may undergo psychiatric examination to determine their parental fitness for child custody or to confirm a disability.

Duties a forensic psychiatrist may perform include, among others:

Evaluation of an individual for their competency to stand trial
Treatment and assessment of an offender, suspected criminal, or incarcerated person
Delivery of expert testimony during a case
Evaluation of an individual's eligibility for disability benefits
Domestic relations (assessment for divorce, child custody, foster care, or other family cases)
Evaluation of an individual for personal injury or malpractice claims

Forensic psychiatrists use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), an evolving set of guidelines for diagnosing mental health conditions. For criminal cases, a forensic psychiatrist might present a detailed report of a perpetrator's mental competency or state of mind during a criminal act and might also offer sentencing proposals and estimates of future risk. Certain severe conditions could acquit or preclude an individual from judicial sentencing. When a verdict is reached, a forensic psychologist may recommend a suitable treatment center such as a mental health facility or special penitentiary wing.

A forensic psychiatrist can also contribute reports and testimony to civil cases. Their opinions may sway a personal injury or other civil claim by providing evidence of significant psychiatric damages that might have occurred. Family matters can similarly be influenced by a forensic psychiatrist's findings, with the goal of ensuring that a child is placed with a safe and capable guardian.

Forensic psychiatrists may work with forensic psychologists, law enforcement officers, judicial officials, case workers, and attorneys.