Forensic psychiatry (series: oxford specialist handbooks in psychiatry)
Oxford Specialist Handbooks in Psychiatry Series

Forensic Psychiatry is the first book to cover 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, including the eminent Nigel Eastman who has engaged with many high-profile legal cases, this is a comprehensive and up-to-date guide which includes clinical observations, guidance and ethical advice across the psychiatric discipline. Uniquely focusing on the interface between psychiatry and law and including suggestions, using case examples, on how to navigate this interface successfully, this book contains clear guidance on all aspects of forensic psychiatry, for both mental health and legal professionals. It also contains extensive cross-referencing which allows the reader to access all the relevant clinical, legal and ethical information quickly and effectively. Alongside the practical advice on managing clinical and legal situations, there are also case examples, summaries of relevant legislation and introductions to different ethical approaches and clinical observations, derived from the experience of the authors. Also included are brief summaries of important legal cases and inquiries relevant to the subject.

1. Introduction to the handbook. 2. Clinical forensic psychiatry. Clinical and social aspects of crime. Mental disorders in forensic psychiatry. Assessment in forensic psychiatry. Risk assessment. Treatment. Risk management. Forensic psychiatry services. 3. The ethics of forensic psychiatry. Ethical decision-making. Professional duties and personal integrity. Conflicting ethical values. Clinical situations raising ethical issues. 4. Law relevant to psychiatry. The interface between psychiatry and law. Legal systems. Criminal law. Mental health and mental capacity law. 5. Psychiatry within the legal system. The criminal justice system. Legal tests relevant to psychiatry. Civil legal issues. The psychiatrist in court. Applied ethics and testimony. Providing reports. Giving evidence. 6. Appendices. Appendices.

I learnt something from every page I read, either about psychiatry and mental disorder or about how experienced mental health professionals perceive the workings of the law relating to their field. The book is well written and clearly set out, with useful vignettes illustrating the points being made. The knowledge, wisdom and humanity of the authors shine through the book and make it a real pleasure, as well as an education, to read.