Forensic Psychiatry Flashcards
define forensic psychiatry
interface between medicine and the law
involves working with people who have a mental disorder and pose a significant risk to the public
role of a forensic psychiatrist 4
look after patients in hospital and the community
provide psychiatrist cover to prisons
assess people remanded in custody
provide expert witness recommendation to the courts
what is commonly seen in forensic psychiatry 4
males
psychotic
high % drug/alcohol misue
may have personality disorder
what offenences are commonly seen in forensic psychiatry
generally should be risk of serious harm to public related to mental disorder
examples:
-homicide
-sexual offences
-arson
-stalking
how to manage risk in forensic psychiatry 6
make things safe
-hospital
-appropriate level of security
use police if need be
review mental state
treat illness
treat substance misuse
once recovered-> being gradual rehab process
-lasts several years
treatments used in forensic psychiatry 4
medical
-same as other psych
-but higher rates of treatment resistance
education
-awareness of risk factors/ education
psychology
-as per general adult
-+ specialist offence focused work
OT-coordinates meaningful activity and community access
levels of security in forensic psychiatry
high- only one in scotland
medium- high walls
vehicle access
cameras
(involves physical, procedural and relational)
low-attached to DGH usually
-leverndale also an example
Forensic psychiatry – common associations between crime and mental illness
Research investigating the link between mental health, crime and violence often rely on
populations that are at a high-risk of violent and criminal behaviour, such as prison inmates
and psychiatric patients. As a result of this selection bias, the relationship between mental
health, criminal and violent behaviour is significantly over-estimated, with mental health
being incorrectly linked with violent and criminal behaviours.
