Forensic psychiatry in Norway

Maria SigurjonsdottirNorwegian Psychiatric Association,

Section for Forensic Psychiatry

Forensic psychiatry in Norway

• The Norwegian Psychiatric Association– Section of Forensic Psychiatry

• The Norwegian Psychological Assosiation

• Group of professionals interested in forensic psychiatry. Psychiatrists, psychologists, lawyers, judges

Forensic psychiatry in Norway

• Curative part• Psychiatric evaluations• Training / courses

Curative part of Forensic Psychiatry

• Forensic patients are treated in psychiatric clinics.

• Same psychiatric clinics as other psychiatric patients are treated in.

Cuartive part of forensic psychiatry

• Depending on risk for violent and other criminal acts– Treatment in psychiatric wards• In High Security wards• In medium security wards• In general psychiatric wards

– Treatment in outpatient clinics• In general psychiatry• In outpatient clinics in prisons

Curative part of Forensic Psychiatry

• Patients who have been sentenced to psychiatric treatment (3 years but can be prolonged).

• Other forensic patients (in custody, psychosis or depression while in prison serving time. . .).

Psychiatric evaluations for judicial purposes

• Psychiatric evaluations for the courts• Engage specialists in psychiatry and

psychology to evaluate the person• Not a part of the health care system• Privately engaged and paid by the court

Psychiatric evaluation for judicial purposes

• Pshychiatrists and psychologists evaluate the person by usual methods, only seldom involving admittanve to psychiatric wards

• In difficult cases, court order deciding to admit the person to a psychiatric ward for psychiatric evaluation, is possible. (§167 stprl - penal code procedural law)

• Seldom used.

Psychiatric evaluations for judicial purposes

• The Norwegian Board of Forensic Medisine– Psychiatric evaluations must be sent to NBFM.– Quality control – Acceptance.– Mandatory before use in the judicial system.

Training in forensic psychiatry

• Lectures on Friday, 26th August.

• Courses provided by The regional competance centers, The Norwegian Courts Administration, The Norwegian Psychiatric Association and The Norwegian Psychological Association