ABSTRACT
The role of the expert witness is to educate the court about matters that are beyond the layperson’s understanding. Medical reports or testimony are required in 50-85 per cent of all trials (Hirsch, Morris, and Moritz 1979). The U.S. Supreme Court has discussed the ‘pivotal role that psychiatry has come to play in criminal proceedings’ (Ake v. Oklahoma 1985). The court expects psychiatrists to ‘conduct a professional examination on issues relevant to the defense, help to determine whether the insanity defense is viable, to present testimony, and to assist in preparing the cross-examination of the state’s psychiatric witness.’
