What Does a Forensic Psychiatrist Do?
A forensic psychiatrist is a medical doctor trained in law and mental health. Forensic psychiatrists may use their knowledge of mental health to act as expert witnesses assisting juries, lawyers, and judges during the course of a trial.
Career Overview
Forensic psychiatrists differ from forensic psychologists in that they are trained medical doctors and can prescribe medication. Typically, a forensic psychiatrist will complete several additional years of training in the area of mental disorders. They will learn more about how to properly diagnose, understand, and treat mental disorders.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutThisOccupation">Important Facts About This Occupation</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td>On-the-job Training</td><td>Four year psychiatry residency and one year forensic psychiatry fellowship</td></tr>
<tr><td>Licensure</td><td>Required, must pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Key Skills</td><td>Analysis, critical thinking, decision-making, observation, speaking, writing</td></tr>
<tr><td>Work Environment</td><td>Correctional facilities, courts, hospitals, private practices</td></tr>
</table><h3 id="section---DutiesAndResponsibilities">Duties and Responsibilities</h3><p>The duty of a forensic psychiatrist is to hold no bias. He or she must evaluate the facts and the mental state of the defendant and report the findings to the lawyer when asked. Only if the lawyer believes that the findings are helpful to the case will the forensic psychiatrist be asked to testify in a court of law. Forensic psychiatrists evaluate specific areas that include:
</p><ul><li>Anxiety
</li><li>Depression
</li><li>Hysteria
</li><li>Psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia
</li></ul><h3 id="section---TestifyAtTrials">Testify at Trials</h3><p>A forensic psychiatrist's primary responsibility is to provide expert testimony to the jury during the course of a trial. A series of interviews allows a forensic psychiatrist to formulate a professional opinion of the defendant. Usually, a forensic psychiatrist is paid for his or her testimony.
</p><p>To be successful as an expert witness, a forensic psychiatrist must have a pleasing manner and be able to communicate well with members of the jury. A forensic psychiatrist doesn't need to hold a law degree, but he or she must have an acute understanding of the legal process. The more knowledge a forensic psychiatrist has of the legal process, the better his or her chances are of being contacted as a consultant on a regular basis.
</p><h3 id="section---SalaryInfoAndJobOutlook">Salary Info and Job Outlook</h3><p>According to PayScale (<i>www.payscale.com</i>) in January 2022, forensic psychiatrists earned a median annual wage of $190,000. The job outlook for all psychiatrists is expected to increase 9% between 2021 and 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics <i>(BLS, www.bls.gov)</i>.</p>