Commentary: forensic education and the quest for truth

Abstract

Forensic psychiatry is the subspecialty that applies psychiatric knowledge to answering legal questions. There are ethics dilemmas inherent in its practice and in functioning at the interface of psychiatry and the law. The development of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law (AAPL) Ethics Guidelines was an effort to assist forensic psychiatrists in dealing with these dilemmas and the moral adventure of practicing in their field. The responses to the Guidelines that explored other frameworks for dealing with the ethical practice of forensic psychiatry are acknowledged, with an emphasis on applied clinical ethics. The study of ethics in forensic psychiatry should be added to Dr. Scott's list and should be part of the effort to teach AAPL members and forensic psychiatry fellows about important developments in their discipline.