ABSTRACT
In the previous chapter we discussed from a cultural perspective the various psychiatric disorders that often are seen in the forensic context. In this chapter we focus, in contrast, on conduct that our society criminalizes. The behaviors, by themselves, do not constitute mental illnesses, although mentally ill persons may engage in them. Furthermore, the behaviors may be influenced by cultural factors in how the act is defined, viewed, or managed by a society. In general, by professional education and training, clinical psychologists pay more attention to behavioral and psychological problems observed in daily life, whereas psychiatrists tend to focus less on these subjects. However, from both a cultural and forensic perspective, culturally competent forensic experts must have adequate cultural knowledge and reasonable familiarity with various kinds of behavioral problems beyond psychiatric disorders in order to achieve a culturally relevant understanding and formulate an informed opinion. We aim to accomplish this purpose in this chapter. Although it is impossible to review all criminal conduct or psychological and behavioral problems inclusively, we elaborate on many that are commonly encountered in forensic work. We discuss some behaviors that are criminalized but require specialized forensic assessment (such as child abuse) in the next chapter.
