Criminal investigative analysis

In its pursuit of those responsible for the commission of serious violent crime, law enforcement will continue to explore and refine the Criminal Investigative Analysis process. To this end, it will enthusiastically collaborate with the medical profession. The results of continuing studies will be made available to relevant bodies. If a general practitioner becomes aware of a patient's unexplained changes of behaviour an additional question should perhaps be considered: "What else is happening in your life?" The response and its evaluation and subsequent intervention may avert a tragedy. Notification of police and anonymity of a practitioner are always contentious issues. In my mind, responsibility to the community in general completely over-shadows the debate on anonymity and confidentiality. In recent discussions with professionals involved in the mental health field there was a consensus that if a treating doctor becomes aware that a person is likely to be violent or cause harm to themselves or the community, the problem of confidentiality does not occur. The safety of the public is paramount. In addition, senior vice president of the Australian Medical Association, Dr Brendan Nelson, was quoted in the Sunday Age 16 August 1992 as follows: "If a patient tells you that she is going to kill her husband and you believe it is a serious threat, then you have a responsibility to the person whose life is in danger to inform the authorities." To do otherwise, surely is an injustice and it would appear to therefore follow, also unethical and immoral.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)