Ethnicity, race, and forensic psychiatry: are we color-blind?

Abstract

Race, ethnicity, and culture have an effect on all aspects of mental illness. Forensic psychiatrists and psychologists should consider these issues when performing evaluations for legal purposes and when providing treatment to the special populations with whom they work. This article defines race and ethnicity and reviews the available literature on the impact of race and ethnicity on diagnosis, dangerousness assessment, involuntary commitment, competency, criminal matters, evaluation of children and matters related to them, and tort issues. Also discussed is the effect of ethnicity on the role of the forensic evaluator in his or her interactions with the subject and the justice system. Forensic evaluators are encouraged to develop specific skills related to competency in dealing with cultural matters.