The New Face of Legal Psychiatry

While the 19th-century psychiatrist occupied a very circumscribed position in society, the role of his present-day counterpart has expanded considerably. Forensic psychiatry is a good example of this; its practitioners are now involved not only with law, but also with sociology, psychology, social work, and other behavioral sciences. The author reviews the important work going on in what he calls "social-legal psychiatry" and describes some of its literature and important court decisions. He believes it provides a focus for students who want to find ways to use psychiatric knowledge in the larger context of society.