[Status of forensic patients in the health system]

Forensic patients can be defined as patients subjected to a criminal law trial procedure or cases for whom a court decision has been taken at the time of treatment. The forensic cases may be subdivided into the following categories: Pre-trial: 1. Cases transferred to hospital as substitution for remand prison. 2. Cases transferred to hospital anticipating a verdict of admission to psychiatric hospital. 3. Cases transferred to hospital on a medical decision alone. 4. Cases admitted for examination to establish a psychiatric court report. Post-trial: 1. Cases sentenced to psychiatric treatment. 2. Cases serving a sentence. 3. Cases subjected to a condition of psychiatric treatment. For each group legislation and precepts concerning distribution of cases among hospitals, special requirements, rights and restrictions are expounded. The application of the "Civil Psychiatry Law of 1989" is discussed with reference to the forensic cases categories. Guidelines for the reception of forensic cases in psychiatric hospital departments are indicated.