Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2025

An Experimental Analysis of Children's Ability to Provide a False Report about a Crime
Published on: May 3, 2016
A Primer for Increasing Competency in Forensic Psychiatry Research
1Nathan J. Kolla, MD, PhD, is a Professor of Psychiatry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada, and Chair, American Academy of Psychiatry and Law Research Committee. nathan.kolla@saskhealthauthority.ca.
This study reviews empirical research on restoring competence to stand trial, highlighting best practices for systematic reviews in forensic psychiatry. It suggests methods to enhance research uptake within the field.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Psychiatry
- Legal Psychology
- Evidence-Based Practice
Background:
- Empirical research is crucial for advancing forensic psychiatry.
- Systematic reviews are essential for synthesizing evidence in the field.
- Restoration of competence to stand trial is a key area requiring robust empirical data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review empirical literature on restoration of competence to stand trial.
- To evaluate the quality of existing research using established metrics.
- To propose strategies for increasing the integration of empirical research into forensic psychiatric practice.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a systematic review of empirical studies.
- Utilized National Institutes of Health (NIH) quality metrics for study assessment.
- Highlighted best practices in systematic review methodology.
Main Results:
- Identified key components of high-quality systematic reviews in forensic psychiatry.
- Provided a comprehensive overview of the empirical literature on competence restoration.
- Discussed the current state of research quality and identified gaps.
Conclusions:
- Systematic reviews adhering to best practices are vital for forensic psychiatry.
- Strategies are needed to promote the uptake of empirical findings in clinical and legal settings.
- The American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Research Committee can play a role in facilitating research.
Related Concept Videos
Psychology as a Science
The scientific method in psychology involves six critical steps: making observations, formulating hypotheses, conducting tests, analyzing...
Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders
Researchers have identified genetic factors that increase susceptibility to schizophrenia, underscoring the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in disease development. At the core of schizophrenia's pathophysiology is excessive dopaminergic neurotransmission within...
Cognitivism
Previously dominated by behaviorism, which prioritized observable behaviors and largely ignored mental processes, psychology transformed in the 1950s. Cognitive psychologists argue that understanding how we think and process...
Eyewitness Memory
One such error is memory distortion, which occurs because human memory does not function...
Contemporary Psychology
Biopsychology
Biopsychology, also known as biological psychology or behavioral neuroscience, focuses on the biological underpinnings of behavior and mental processes. It...

