Forensic Psychiatry   

Relationship between crime and mental disorder   

Knowledge of the range of offenses committed by mentally disordered offenders.   Specific crimes and their psychiatric relevance particularly: homicide; other crimes of violence (including infanticide); sex offences; arson; and criminal damage.   

The relationship between specific mental disorders and crime:  

Substance misuse; epilepsy; schizophrenia; bipolar affective disorder; neuro-developmental disorders; personality disorders.   

Special syndromes: morbid jealousy, erotomania, Munchausen and Munchausen by proxy.   

Mental disorders and offending in special groups: young offenders; female offenders; offenders from ethnic minorities; offenders who are deaf or have other physical disabilities.  

Effect of victimization and vulnerability: anxiety states including post-traumatic stress disorder; suggestibility; anger and aggressive behavior. Effect of compensation on presentation.    

 Psychiatry and the criminal justice system   

The role of the psychiatrist is the assessment of mentally disordered offenders: during arrest; prior to conviction; prior to sentencing.   

Psychiatric Defenses: Fitness to plead; mutism and deafness; criminal responsibility; diminished responsibility; amnesia and automatism.  

Psychiatric disposals following conviction.  

Skills to write a court report in relation to a criminal case.  

Skills to provide oral evidence in court as an expert witness and as a professional witness.  

 Practicing psychiatry in a secure setting  

The role of security in a therapeutic environment.  

The essential components of a forensic service and the specific patient needs and disabilities such a service provision can assist that  

Knowledge of the prevalence of the psychiatric disorder in prison populations, suicide in prisoners, psychiatric treatment in prison settings.    

Risk management planning in forensic psychiatric practice   

Managing mentally disordered offenders discharged into the community  

Human rights legislation as it affects patients and psychiatric practice.