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How does clinical experience assist in determining proper Forensic care?

We all know that what we experience in practicality will only enhance the theoretical aspect of our work. That is why it is important for the forensic expert that testifies on your behalf to have the adequate expertise both clinical and theoretical. There are many way they acquire the relevant proficiency and they include:By community management of forensic patients byacting as an expert witness in courts.Contributing to the management of a long-stay forensic rehabilitation unit such as a Hospital or a hospice care.Be involved in various correction centre/ prison-based mental health services and carry out consultancy services in them.Participation and production of various courtreports at the request of the courts and the Office of Public Prosecutions.Publish articles from findings derived from the interaction in all the above capacities.

How can we determine if an individual isfit to stand trial?

The competency to stand for trial is determined upon the mental wellbeing of the said person. This is true for both defendants and witnesses. This means that the individual is supposed to understand the proceedings of the court and be able comprehend that his/her testimony is viable to prosecute him/her. In the case of the defendant this means that he/she should be of a mental capacity to defend himself against the crimes that he is accused of. If a mentally incapacitated person is said to have committed a crime, criminal proceedings are held off temporally until it can be determined that he is of a sound mental state. Therefore a fitness for trial assessment needs to be conducted and the defendant will be held in contempt until such time.

This can be conducted by acertified occupational psychiatrist Melbourne who would be able to evaluate the psychological condition of the individual who is to take the stand.

Who rules if one is ready to present in court, upon the psychiatrist’s recommendation?

This ruling is taken by the judge assigned to the case and he does so after evaluating the report that is presented by the expert psychiatrist. The factors taken into consideration to arrive at this decision are If the defendant is able to effectively communicate with his/her defence lawyerIf the defendant/ witness is able to understand and process all the dataIs able to come to conclusions regarding the circumstance and the happenings of the case Is able to understand the gravity of the charges, and the likely consequences.