There are many different aspects to psychiatry and psychology. One of which is the field of forensic psychiatry. A type of psychiatry that is focused on medical and legal aspects of a crime. Mainstream psychiatry is primarily focused on severe mental illness with no attachment to crime. Whereas, this type psychiatry is used to determine a number of facts related to a crime scene or crime.
Those working in this area generally provide psychological testing for suspects. When asked to assist in solving crime, these individuals have been known to visit crime scenes or discuss suspect behaviors with family members. All of which can help determine whether or not an individual is competent to stand trial.
Those working primarily in a psychiatric capacity help determine whether or not an individual is fit to stand trial. If not, then these professionals can prescribe medications to see if an individual can be healed. It may also be necessary to provide ongoing counseling and therapy. Once complete, suspects are then provided a secondary psychiatric evaluation.
Providing insight on whether a suspect could have committed a crime is another aspect of this work. After which, the expert witness may be asked to assist in sentencing. Whether the sentence be jail, prison or time at a mental institution, the decision is ultimately left to judge and jury. If the suspect is found competent, then most likely a trial will follow.
Whether civil or criminal, these individuals can be called as an expert witness. Sometimes it is to give an opinion on a specific issue. At other times, it can be to declare the mental well being of a suspect. Whatever the case, an expert witness will have already prepared and submitted a lengthy report detailing the medical condition of the suspect. After which, the judge must consider this opinion to determine whether not an individual is competent to stand trial.
When a judge or jury lacks understanding in a case, then an expert witness can testify. When testifying, the psychiatrist must provide all information related to the opinion found during psychological testing and interviews. The professional must also provide information on the concepts, methods and approaches used to reach the opinion.
As stated, this is only an opinion as to whether not the the individual understood an action or actions at the time the crime was committed. Different states have different laws governing the use of expert witnesses. In most cases, if a person is found incompetent to stand trial, jail sentences will either be shortened or eliminated.
Court rulings based on the opinion of expert witnesses, and facts in a case are often accurate. Three standards are often used to make this determination. First, whether or not the individual has a mental illness. Second, whether or not the person understood any actions committed during a crime. Lastly, whether the crime was committed solely due to a severe mental disorder.
Those working in this area generally provide psychological testing for suspects. When asked to assist in solving crime, these individuals have been known to visit crime scenes or discuss suspect behaviors with family members. All of which can help determine whether or not an individual is competent to stand trial.
Those working primarily in a psychiatric capacity help determine whether or not an individual is fit to stand trial. If not, then these professionals can prescribe medications to see if an individual can be healed. It may also be necessary to provide ongoing counseling and therapy. Once complete, suspects are then provided a secondary psychiatric evaluation.
Providing insight on whether a suspect could have committed a crime is another aspect of this work. After which, the expert witness may be asked to assist in sentencing. Whether the sentence be jail, prison or time at a mental institution, the decision is ultimately left to judge and jury. If the suspect is found competent, then most likely a trial will follow.
Whether civil or criminal, these individuals can be called as an expert witness. Sometimes it is to give an opinion on a specific issue. At other times, it can be to declare the mental well being of a suspect. Whatever the case, an expert witness will have already prepared and submitted a lengthy report detailing the medical condition of the suspect. After which, the judge must consider this opinion to determine whether not an individual is competent to stand trial.
When a judge or jury lacks understanding in a case, then an expert witness can testify. When testifying, the psychiatrist must provide all information related to the opinion found during psychological testing and interviews. The professional must also provide information on the concepts, methods and approaches used to reach the opinion.
As stated, this is only an opinion as to whether not the the individual understood an action or actions at the time the crime was committed. Different states have different laws governing the use of expert witnesses. In most cases, if a person is found incompetent to stand trial, jail sentences will either be shortened or eliminated.
Court rulings based on the opinion of expert witnesses, and facts in a case are often accurate. Three standards are often used to make this determination. First, whether or not the individual has a mental illness. Second, whether or not the person understood any actions committed during a crime. Lastly, whether the crime was committed solely due to a severe mental disorder.
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