Defining forensic psychiatry: roles and responsibilities

Forensic psychiatry operates at the interface of two disparate disciplines: law and psychiatry. Although most cases in forensic psychiatry practice engender no conflicts, functioning at the interface of these two disciplines can lead to confusion and ethical dilemmas (see Chapter 8). Forensic psychiatry is officially recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties as a subspecialty of psychiatry. Definitions of forensic psychiatry serve to clarify and delineate roles and boundaries.