Clarification on competence to stand trial

The assessment of CST is a multidimensional set of operations, including the systematic gathering of data and the formulation of a prognostic opinion. It is a common procedure in forensic psychiatry and usually has a major influence on the future of the examinee. The art of examining competence is dependent on the careful consideration of the semantics of the concept, the ethical implications of the process and on the examiner's awareness of the interpersonal and intrapsychic aspects involved in formulating the assessment.