This book explores the response of forensic psychiatry and psychology to changes over the last several decades. It presents the disciplines themselves as change agents that have shaped forensic work, public policy, and law. Topics include selected developments in forensic practice, the management and treatment of individuals who have had involvement with law enforcement systems, and the application of administrative principles to the management of forensic entities.

This revised and updated edition of Care of the Mentally Disordered Offender in the Community provides a comprehensive, evidence-based guide to theory and practice. The social and clinical context within which mental health care is provided to offenders in community settings has changed significantly in recent years. An increasing proportion of all mental health care is provided in the community and our knowledge of the links between violence and mental illness has advanced. Existing psychological and pharmacological treatments have been refined and new treatments have been introduced. Epidemiological and intervention-based research has evaluated these changes and suggested new avenues for clinical development. Over three sections, the second edition of Care of the Mentally Disordered Offender in the Community explores the key areas of the field. Part 1 describes the social, administrative and clinical context within which care is now given. Part 2 discusses treatment and the evaluation of violence risk when determining the most appropriate treatment. Part 3 explores psychiatric services and their relationship with other agencies. The text has been updated to cover recent developments in theory and practice. New chapters have been added that cover US provision for people with mental disorders leaving prison, the community management of sexual offenders, the relationship between care and coercion and the treatment of personality disorders. Written by a global team of experts, the book provides critical insights into the social, clinical, and institutional aspects of an increasingly important part of psychiatric community care.

The written report is central to the practice of psychiatry in legal settings. It is required of mental health professionals acting as expert witnesses in criminal cases, civil litigation situations, child custody proceedings and risk assessments. This book provides a theoretical background to psychiatric writing for the law and a practical guide to the preparation of the report. The first section addresses practical and ethical concerns, including the conduct of the forensic psychiatric evaluation, conflicts of interest, record keeping and confidentiality. The second section contains practical and detailed advice on preparing various types of report, including reports for use in criminal and civil litigation, civil commitment hearings and child custody proceedings. A final section covers special issues arising during report preparation including the use of psychological tests and the detection of malingering. This is an essential guide for anyone required to write a psychiatric report.

There is a myth that people with mental disorders comply poorly with treatment. In fact, psychiatric patients are no more likely than patients in other medical specialities to go against the advice of their doctor. That said, it is easy to find instances where psychotropic medication is refused by the supposed beneficiary. The value of neuroleptic treatment in schizophrenia is now widely accepted. Failure to take such treatment is associated with relapse and relapse may endanger the patient and other people. Despite this, people with schizophrenia frequently fail to take their treatment. This study shows that one third can be expected to be non-compliant within two years of leaving a general adult psychiatry ward. It also looks at the reasons for this: the influence of drug side-effects is examined, as well as the impact of each patient's attitude to treatment and whether or not they have stopped taking prescribed medication in the past.

Buchanan examines three fundamental precepts in criminal law: justification, excuse and mitigation. He gives a philosophical analysis, as well as discussing current legal provision for mentally disordered offenders in England and America. The author also combines a jurisprudential analysis of justification, excuse and mitigation with a discussion of current legal provision for metnally disordered offenders.