This book provides in-depth discussions of the political and social contexts surrounding key cases in forensic mental health.

Forensic psychiatry (the interface of psychiatry and the law), forensic psychology, and mental health law are growing and evolving subspecialties in their respective larger disciplines. Topics included in these fields include a range as diverse as capital sentencing guidelines, informed consent, and standards of care for mental health treatment. All of these topics need to be understood and mastered by clinicians, educators, administrators and attorneys working with psychiatric patients. This book brings together concise, comprehensive summaries of the most important "landmark" legal decisions relating to mental health practice in the United States. These decisions, along with their underlying reasonings, make up a critical portion of the national certification examination for forensic psychiatry offered by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN). Many of the themes are also tested in the ABPN certification examination for general psychiatry. This book is the first to provide a combination of summaries of the relevant legal content paired with board-style test questions designed to help consolidate knowledge and prepare for certification. Cases with similar themes are grouped together with an eye toward helping the reader understand the evolution of legal and clinical thinking on a particular topic. This book represents an important addition to the study tools and textbooks available related to psychiatry and the law and will serve as a useful reference for clinicians who must follow established legal requirements in their field.

The decision to release someone from psychiatric hospital, forensic services or prison is often controversial, and forensic psychologists play a key role in assessing the risk of recidivism. In Violence Risk, Chris Webster and Steve Hucker discuss the accuracy of prediction and highlight how violence assessments would improve if well-established findings became entrenched in clinical and research practice. Although the authors write the majority of the text, specialist colleagues add essential material on subjects such as averting spousal assault, sex offending, and improving community support.

Vols. for 1963- include as pt. 2 of the Jan. issue: Medical subject headings.

Originally discussed in the context of "Paraphilias", this edition of Psychiatric Clinics of North America covers topics in sexual deviancy. The psychiatric community has revised this term through several editions of the DSM, indicating the view of these disorders changing from "sociopathic sexual deviation" to "sexual deviation of nonpsychotic mental disorder" to "paraphilias and paraphilic disorders." No matter how it is stated, this edition addresses sexual deviation assessemnt and treatment, covering conditions that harm others and that typically involve a legal/criminal/forensic component. Topics include Assessment; Mental illness and sexual offending; Treatment of sexual offenders-Psychological and Pharmacological; Professional sexual misconduct including clergy; Adolescent sexual offenders; Child pornography and sexual deviance; Sexual sadism and sexually motivated homicide; Dysfunctional anger and sexual violence; and Ethical issues in the treatment of sexual offenders. Highly renown for their research and clinical work in the nature of sexucal disorder, Dr Bradford and Dr Ahmed lead this edition intended for psychiatrists and other medical professionals dealing with this population.

The second edition of this award-winning textbook has been thoroughly revised and updated throughout. Building on the success of the first edition, the book continues to address the History and Practice of Forensic Psychiatry, Legal Regulation of the Practice of Psychiatry, Psychiatry in relation to Civil Law, Criminal Law, and Family Law. Important sections such as Special Issues in Forensic Psychiatry, Law and the Legal System, and Landmark Cases in Mental Health Law are included. Designed to meet the needs of practitioners of forensic psychiatry, for residents in forensic psychiatry, and those preparing for the specialty examination in Forensic Psychiatry of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, this volume will also answer the many questions faced by mental health professionals, mental health administrators, correctional health professionals and correctional health administrators, attorneys, judges, probation and parole officers and administrators all of whom, at one time or another, require a substantive presentation of the entire field of forensic psychiatry in the USA.

Scores of talented and dedicated people serve the forensic science community, performing vitally important work. However, they are often constrained by lack of adequate resources, sound policies, and national support. It is clear that change and advancements, both systematic and scientific, are needed in a number of forensic science disciplines to ensure the reliability of work, establish enforceable standards, and promote best practices with consistent application. Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward provides a detailed plan for addressing these needs and suggests the creation of a new government entity, the National Institute of Forensic Science, to establish and enforce standards within the forensic science community. The benefits of improving and regulating the forensic science disciplines are clear: assisting law enforcement officials, enhancing homeland security, and reducing the risk of wrongful conviction and exoneration. Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States gives a full account of what is needed to advance the forensic science disciplines, including upgrading of systems and organizational structures, better training, widespread adoption of uniform and enforceable best practices, and mandatory certification and accreditation programs. While this book provides an essential call-to-action for congress and policy makers, it also serves as a vital tool for law enforcement agencies, criminal prosecutors and attorneys, and forensic science educators.