Forensic Psychiatry

This Second Edition of Forensic Psychiatry covers the clinical, legal, and ethical issues for the treatment of mentally disordered offenders for all of the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland jurisdictions. Written by an expert interdisciplinary team from the fields of both law and psychiatry, this is a comprehensive and up-to-date guide which includes clinical observations, guidance, and ethical advice across the psychiatric discipline.

The title has been updated with expanded topics on developmental disorders, neuroscience and its use in legal settings, human rights law, dementia, and traumatic brain injury. New legal cases have also been incorporated to reflect changes in legislation, including but not limited to diminished responsibility, deprivation of liberty, and automatism. There are also new parts on forensic psychotherapy, cross-cultural diagnostic validity, and radicalisation.

Alongside practical advice on managing clinical and legal situations, the handbook provides concise examples, summaries of relevant legislation, and introductions to different ethical approaches and clinical observations. Uniquely focusing on the interface between psychiatry and law, this title is essential reading for the forensic psychiatrist, as well as lawyers and judges.

Nigel Eastman, Emeritus Professor of Law and Ethics in Psychiatry, St George's, University of London, UK; Honorary Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist, South West London & St George's Mental Health NHS Trust, UK,Gwen Adshead, Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist, Broadmoor Hospital, West London NHS Trust, Southall, UK,Simone Fox, Consultant Clinical and Forensic Psychologist, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, UK,Richard Latham, Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist, East London NHS Foundation Trust, UK,Seán Whyte, Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist and Clinical Director, South-West London & St George's Mental Health NHS Trust, UK and a Visiting Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, UK,Hannah Kate Williams, Specialty Registrar in Forensic Psychiatry & Medical Psychotherapy, South-West London & St George's Mental Health NHS Trust, UK

Nigel Eastman was Emeritus Professor of Law and Ethics in Psychiatry at St George's, University of London, UK and Honorary Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist, South West London & St George's Mental Health NHS Trust, UK. He died unexpectedly in February 2022, while this work was still in press. Prof. Eastman was a passionate and dedicated educator, and his publications are a testimony to that passion, and the culmination of a lifetime of study, clinical practice and research. This book would not exist without him and it is with both sadness and respect that we, his co- authors and editors, dedicate this book to him, as a posthumous thank you for the enthusiasm, intellect and generosity that made it possible.

Gwen Adshead is a Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist at Broadmoor Hospital, West London NHS Trust, Southall, UK.

Simone Fox is a Consultant Clinical and Forensic Psychologist at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, UK.

Richard Latham is a Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist at East London NHS Foundation Trust, UK.


Seán Whyte is a Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist and Clinical Director at South-West London & St George's Mental Health NHS Trust, UK and a Visiting Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, UK.

Hannah Kate Williams is a Specialty Registrar in Forensic Psychiatry & Medical Psychotherapy at South-West London & St George's Mental Health NHS Trust, UK.

Part I: Introduction to the handbook
1. Introduction to the handbook
Part II: Clinical forensic psychiatry
2. Clinical and social aspects of crime
3. Mental disorders in forensic psychiatry
4. Assessment in forensic psychiatry
5. Risk assessment
6. Treatment
7. Risk management
8. Forensic psychiatric services
Part III: The ethics of forensic psychiatry
9. Ethical decision making
10. Professional duties and personal integrity
11. Conflicting ethical values
12. Clinical matters raising ethical issues
Part IV: Law relevant to psychiatry
13. The interface between psychiatry and law
14. Legal systems
15. Criminal law
16. Mental health and mental capacity law
17. Civil law
Part V: Psychiatry within the legal system
18. The criminal justice system
19. Legal tests relevant to psychiatry
20. The psychiatrist in court
21. Applied ethics and testimony
22. Providing reports
23. Giving evidence
Part VI: Appendices
A. Appendices