Forensic psychiatry

Forensic psychiatry is an applied branch of general psychiatry. Science (in the general psychiatric meaning) studies the patterns of development, occurrence and probable outcome of a particular group of diseases (pathologies). These pathologies are accompanied by disorders in the psyche. The aim of the study is to provide patients with appropriate care.

Forensic psychiatry is engaged in the study of mental disorders with respect to tasks to be performed in the course of the administration of justice in civil and criminal cases. On the basis of the conclusions made by the relevant experts of this industry, the court takes procedural decisions. In this case, the conclusions of forensic psychiatrists are subject to evaluation in conjunction with other evidence. The adoption of procedural decisions is carried out in the framework of civil or criminal proceedings. All the facts described above define this branch of medicine as "forensic psychiatry".

The criminal justice process as part of the preliminary investigation is included . In this regard, forensic psychiatric findings are used by both the court and the investigator (prosecutor or investigator).

The subject of the study includes, in addition to the general descriptions adopted (for example, diagnosis), additional information. In particular, forensic psychiatry does not do without forensic psychiatric evaluation. In other words, a specialist in the examination of the accused concludes that the patient has several years of chronic mental illness. In the general practice, diagnosing is sufficient to make a decision about the patient's assistance. Forensic medicine and psychiatry, in particular, requires the application and additional rather specific criteria. Thus, a specialist evaluating the mental state of the accused must answer the question of whether he (the accused) could at the time of the commission of the act incriminated to him realize the social danger and the actual nature of his action (inaction) or direct him. This formulation allows us to determine the severity (depth) of the defendant's defeat by a mental illness.

Forensic psychiatry assesses other features of mental disorders. For example, the use of coercive measures is appropriate only if the accused is at risk for his illness. When the mental state changes, the use of medical coercive measures is suspended even if the complete elimination of the disease has not occurred and the accused remains mentally ill.

A forensic psychiatrist performs activities that have several directions, relatively independent. In doing so, each direction has its own tasks and methods for resolving them. In addition, specific legal forms that limit the activities of the above specialist are applied.

Forensic psychiatric examination is considered the main activity of a specialist who examines the mental state of the accused in a criminal or civil offense. It is appointed by the body or the person conducting the proceedings. At the same time, tasks are formulated that represent certain questions to the expert expert. The bodies that designate the study collect and provide materials to specialists, select specialists (institutions or individuals), and evaluate the conclusion based on the results of the research. If there is agreement with the conclusions of the experts, the conclusions are used in making decisions on the processes.

It should be noted that the specialists conducting the above-mentioned studies are not vested with power. In this regard, statements such as "experts, having recognized the defendant as insane, sent him to compulsory treatment, freeing him from liability" are incorrect. Such decisions are taken only by the court.