Welcome to the 22nd WCP Congress Program Scheduling

Independent forensic psychiatric expert services fundamentally differ from clinical psychiatric treatment services. Having an understanding of the many important differences is essential in providing expert services that are ethically and legally sound. This symposium will present pertinent information on expert forensic psychiatric services ranging from basic fundamental knowledge to specialized examinations. First, Prof. Britta Ostermeyer will explain the important differences between forensic psychiatric expert work and clinical treatment services. Next, Prof. Gary Chaimowitz will discuss common pitfalls and challenges of forensic psychiatric expert work, including dual obligations of psychiatrists working in military, forensic, and correctional settings. Then, Prof. Kris Goethals will focus his presentation on the forensic examination of elderly persons, more commonly as victims but also as offenders. The elderly are overrepresented in long-stay facilities due to population aging. Forensic psychiatrists may have to evaluate elderly individuals who exhibit disinhibition, agitation and aggression, and/or criminal behavior. Finally, Prof. Andrew Forrester will describe extradition processes when transferring persons between different countries. In these international proceedings, expert psychiatric examinations pertaining to risk of harm to self and requirements for intervention and treatment may be required. Prof. Forrester will also discuss possible outcomes and common professional and ethical issues that often arise in these types of extradition processes.