Adult Psychiatry & Psychology

Forensic Psychiatry Services

The Division of Forensic Psychiatry at University Hospitals offers in-depth forensic psychiatric evaluations in the criminal and civil law arenas. Our team provides expert assessments for criminal defendants and civil litigants to assist judges, attorneys and other members of the justice system.

Contact the Forensic Psychiatry Team

To inquire about our services or to learn more, email Forensicpsychiatry@case.edu.

Criminal responsibility (sanity): Sanity at the time of the act evaluations consider the defendant’s mental state retrospectively, at the time of the offending.
Competency to stand trial: Competency to stand trial evaluations consider the defendant’s mental state at the present time.
Other criminal competencies: Other criminal competencies may include competency to confess, competency to waive the right to testify, competency to testify, and competency to be executed.
Mitigation of penalty: Mitigation of penalty evaluations consider mental health and substance use disorders and their relevance to the offending and sentencing.
Suicide and violence risk assessment: Forensic evaluations of suicide and violence risk consider the potential of these outcomes along with mental health disorders.
Malingering: Malingering involves falsification of symptoms in order to obtain external benefits and may be relevant in either criminal or civil cases.
Fitness for duty: In fitness for duty evaluations, forensic psychiatrists consider whether an individual is able to return to work in light of their mental health struggles.
Disability: In disability evaluations, forensic psychiatrists consider whether an individual is disabled from employment in light of their mental health struggles.
Emotional damages: Forensic psychiatrists evaluate mental health in order to determine, after an event, what mental health needs and damages there are.
Testamentary capacity: In testamentary capacity cases, forensic psychiatrists determine whether a person has the ability to make a valid will. Testamentary capacity cases may be prospective or retrospective.
Malpractice: In malpractice cases, forensic psychiatrists assist in a determination of whether mental healthcare fell below the standard of care, and directly contributed to a negative outcome.

As a group, we have particular expertise in each of these areas, as well as special expertise in cases of child murder by parent and detection of malingering (fabrication of symptoms). Referrals are by attorneys, courts, hospitals, schools, employers, insurance companies, licensing/regulatory boards and organizations, but not by individuals who wish to be evaluated themselves.