ABSTRACT
The field of forensic psychiatry may be divided into three major subgroupings: criminal forensic psychiatry, civil forensic psychiatry, and administrative forensic psychiatry. Administrative issues include matters such as confidentiality, privileged communications, and privacy issues. They also include patients’ rights such as the right to treatment, the right to refuse treatment, and newer considerations involving commitment or involuntary hospitalization. Malpractice issues may traverse all three areas of forensic psychiatry: for example, boundary crossings may begin as an administrative matter leading to loss of license, but may also involve a civil lawsuit against the offending psychiatrist. The case may be so serious as to also generate criminal charges against the psychiatrist.
