How is forensic psychiatry useful to the legal process?
When legal matters involve issues outside lay (general public) expertise, lawyers and judges regularly seek consultation from professionals in a wide variety of fields, including medical specialties. Such professionals are often called “experts” or “expert witnesses.” Although forensic experts usually are truly knowledgeable, the criteria for “expert” designation in such cases are legal ones, and not necessarily scientific. Sometimes the expertise is sought in an effort to provide the best possible information to judges or juries, but there are many other situations in which a prudent attorney, judge, or other party may request consultation.
