| We have heard it all on those CSI or NCIS | | | | forensic psychiatrist are often in different corners |
| television shows, but what exactly is the role of a | | | | of the ring. |
| forensic psychiatrist and how does it differ from | | | | In clinical psychiatry, the patient has no reason to |
| a clinical psychiatrist? In this article, we will explain | | | | lie since both the patient and the clinical |
| briefly what a forensic psychiatrist does and note | | | | psychiatrist want the patient's condition to |
| the aspects of this profession versus clinical | | | | improve. In forensic psychiatry, the patient has |
| psychiatry. | | | | every reason to lie, cheat, or deceive with the |
| The objective of clinical psychiatry is to improve | | | | intent of covering up the truth about their actions |
| the patient's condition via a trusting relationship. | | | | and thoughts. Patients of forensic psychiatrists will |
| Once a sense of trust is developed between the | | | | engage in this practice especially if they know |
| patient and the doctor, the patient opens up and | | | | they are guilty of a crime they are accused of |
| tells the psychiatrist everything he needs to know | | | | committing. Forensic psychiatric patients want all |
| in order to develop a proper treatment plan. This | | | | possible motivations for committing a crime to be |
| process is cooperative, and the psychiatrist keeps | | | | secret. They may feign or exaggerate symptoms |
| all his moral or value judgments to himself. | | | | to create an insanity defense. The forensic |
| In contrast, forensic psychiatry is merely the | | | | psychiatrist is most often considered an enemy |
| antithesis of clinical psychiatry. This form of | | | | unlike a clinical psychiatrist who is considered a |
| psychiatry is adversarial as opposed to | | | | friend. |
| cooperative. Here, moral and value judgments are | | | | Keep this in mind when you are watching CSI, |
| made against the patient regarding his | | | | NCIS, or any other type of similar program. You |
| responsibility in a crime. The objective of forensic | | | | will know the difference between these two |
| psychiatry is not to treat the patient but rather | | | | types of psychiatrists who are called to a witness |
| dissect the patient's personality to uncover his or | | | | stand to testify on behalf of the defense or the |
| her true motives. Simply put, the patient and the | | | | prosecution. |