Ethics in forensic psychiatry

Ethics in forensic expertise has been the focus of important debates. After providing a brief history of the theme, a review is given of the articles published in the last 2 years. As this field is constantly changing, it is possible to identify significant differences and even opposing positions adopted till now by various researchers.

The review includes a discussion on the current ethical theories applied to the forensic field, the objective and subjective issues involved in forensic work, the care needed to prevent additional and unnecessary suffering to the examinees and, finally, future directions as indicated by the authors.

The authors conclude that the discussion on the ethics of forensic expertise should be more comprehensive. The debate should include the search for equilibrium between objectivity and subjectivity, inherent to forensic expertise work, and also the utilization of advanced technological resources, always bearing in mind the conditions to which the examiner and examinee are subjected.