TY - JOUR T1 - Unsolicited E-mails to Forensic Psychiatrists JF - Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online JO - J Am Acad Psychiatry Law SP - 470 LP - 478 VL - 44 IS - 4 AU - Susan Hatters Friedman AU - Jacob M. Appel AU - Peter Ash AU - Richard L. Frierson AU - Deborah Giorgi-Guarnieri AU - Richard Martinez AU - Alan W. Newman AU - Debra A. Pinals AU - Phillip J. Resnick AU - Alexander I. F. Simpson Y1 - 2016/12/01 UR - http://jaapl.org/content/44/4/470.abstract N2 - E-mail communication is pervasive. Since many forensic psychiatrists have their e-mail addresses available online (either on personal websites, university websites, or articles they have authored), they are likely to receive unsolicited e-mails. Although there is an emerging body of literature about exchanging e-mail with patients, there is little guidance about how to respond to e-mails from nonpatients. Therefore, we used a Delphi technique to develop a consensus about salient points for the forensic psychiatrist to consider regarding responding to e-mails from nonpatients and the risks entailed. Four scenarios are described, including e-mails from nonpatients and unknown others requesting advice or help. The potential ethics-related, legal, moral, and practical concerns for forensic psychiatrists are discussed. Finally, potential pitfalls for forensic psychiatrists are described. ER -