Robert L. Sadoff, described by some as the founder of modern forensic psychiatry, edited The Evolution of Forensic Psychiatry: History, Current Developments, Future Directions. The book received the 2017 Manfred S. Guttmacher Award, an honor cosponsored by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law (AAPL) to recognize an outstanding contribution to the literature of forensic psychiatry. At the 2017 APA Annual Meeting, Kenneth Weiss, MD, shared the editor's goal in preparing the text: to present “the current history of the field, the outstanding programs teaching concepts and practices, and proposals for future development.”1 Drawing on a “who's who” of chapter contributors, Sadoff met his goal.
The text provides a historical review of the field of forensic psychiatry and training as well as giving a contemporary view of recent developments and trends in the field. It is organized into seven core sections: “History,” “Current Developments: Teaching Forensic Psychiatry,” “Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,” “Psychiatry Subspecialties and Forensic Psychiatry,” “Forensic Psychiatry and Other Professions,” “Forensic Psychiatry and Legal Issues,” and “Future Directions.” Each section has three to six chapters, each with a distinct focus. Although the text is organized in a logical and approachable manner, each chapter or section can be read independently and in any order.
The text uniquely summarizes the major scientific, legal, and policy factors that have influenced the field. Many of its contributors share personal perspectives about their journey as the field has developed and their viewpoints on future directions. This approach personalizes the experience for the reader. For example, several authors share their own beginnings in forensic psychiatry, teaching, and creating forensic training programs. Seasoned forensic psychiatrists may share in the authors' experiences. For those starting their forensic careers, it is helpful to understand the evolution of the field as it informs today's training programs as well as the practice of forensic psychiatry.
Beyond the traditional topics found in many forensic psychiatry textbooks, Sadoff includes chapters written from the unique viewpoints of practitioners of other disciplines that interact with the legal system, including lawyers, judges, and law enforcement personnel. In the chapter written by a criminal defense attorney, for example, the author provides several firsthand accounts of working with clients with mental illness and cases using forensic psychiatry experts. Although she comments on the role of the expert witness, she also shares examples of situations where input from forensic mental health clinicians have informed her day-to-day interactions with clients and helped serve justice in a compassionate manner. Collaboration among psychiatry and other fields is a predominant theme throughout the text, and particularly in the section on “Forensic Psychiatry and Other Professions.” In this manner, it appeals to a wide audience of mental health clinicians, forensic practitioners, lawyers, and educators, among others.
The section on “Future Directions” will appeal to readers interested in neurolaw and the developing role for neuroscience in court cases. Consistent with other book sections, the section begins with a brief historical summary of the use of neuroscience-based expertise in medicolegal contexts. Reviewed are recent developments in neuroscience research and how research may be used in criminal and civil cases. The last chapter in the section clearly discusses the current limitations on the use of neuroscience research in individual cases.
Despite spanning such breadth of forensic psychiatry, from the early beginnings as a specialty to the future of neuroscience research, the book is cohesive in that it allows the reader to follow the field through its development. If there is a criticism, it is that the authors, collectively, may be too positive about the evolution and trajectory of forensic psychiatry and partnerships across medical and legal disciplines. Although there is good reason to be proud of the field, some chapters may impress upon readers that there are few challenges left to overcome. However, with an increasing population of justice-involved patients and increased referrals for medicolegal assessments, it is important to recognize that there is more work to be done.
Sadoff begins the book with a dedication to his mentors, teachers, colleagues, students and those served by forensic psychiatry. With his passing in April 2017, it cannot go unrecognized that the chapter authors, through their strong contributions to the text as well as some personal acknowledgments in the book, honor Sadoff and his contributions to the field of forensic psychiatry. In concluding the chapter on “Forensic Psychiatry and the Law: Litigation, Advocacy, Scholarship and Teaching,” Michael L. Perlin, JD, shares his view on the relationship between psychiatry and the law. He identifies four core pillars to this relationship: litigation, teaching, scholarship, and advocacy. He adds as a fifth personal pillar his relationship with Sadoff. “I believe that [Dr. Sadoff's] career is a template for forensic psychiatrists in each of these areas of social policy. His work continues to be an inspiration for all of us” (p 258). So, too, is this book.
Footnotes
Disclosures of financial or other potential conflicts of interest: None.
- © 2018 American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law
