Forensic Psychiatry Revisited

Beginning of article

Byline: S. Nambi

Articles related to Forensic Psychiatry published in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry and Neurology and Indian Journal of Psychiatry during the last 60 years revisited. During these years, around 50 articles have been published in this subject. Psycho-criminology is the theme dealt with in most of the articles. Highlights of some of the important articles are mentioned.

Introduction

It is a great opportunity to review the articles related to forensic psychiatry, which were published in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry (IJP) during last 60 years. [sup][1]

In the modern days, almost every aspect of life is regulated or affected in some way by law. All civilizations in the world have enacted laws to regulate human behavior, so that even the weakest can live freely and enjoy all the human rights. Legislations form the important component in the implementation of mental healthcare. There is a dynamic relationship between the concept of mental illness, the treatment of the mentally ill and the law.

"Forensic Psychiatry is a poorly defined specialty with little organized training in most countries." (WHO working group) Working knowledge of the law that regulates the practice of psychiatry assists clinicians in providing good care to patients. Psychiatrists cannot be expected to be as knowledgeable of the law as lawyers, but they do need to understand how the law and psychiatry interact in various common …