The Psychiatrist As Expert Witness

If you are like many of your colleagues, you are intrigued by the practice of forensic psychiatry and find the intellectual challenge of bridging the gap between psychiatry and law stimulating. You may even wish to offer your services as an expert witness in legal proceedings. However, your enthusiasm is tempered by the all too real nightmare of a lawyer puncturing your testimony with pointed questions, simultaneously destroying your professional reputation. Furthermore, you face the prospect of establishing your practice in forensic psychiatry through a grueling process of trial and error, a procedure that may also tarnish your reputation. In order to leave the familiar surroundings of your clinical practice to enter this new environment, you need a comprehensive, “how-to” manual that can guide you through the legal process and your role as expert witness while highlighting the pitfalls strewn in your path.

The Psychiatrist as Expert Witness provides practical, hands-on instruction for your role as an expert witness. A companion volume to The Psychiatrist in Court: A Survival Guide, this book encapsulates, into a single user-friendly volume, the wisdom and experience of one of the world's leading forensic psychiatrists, Dr. Thomas Gutheil. Using wit and an informal tone, Dr. Gutheil describes the ethical, clinical, and functional role of the expert witness. He guides you through the details of case evaluation, discovery and depositions, and trials so that you can provide truthful, ethical, and effective testimony and avoid potential hazards and pitfalls. Sharing dozens of invaluable hints and practical advice on numerous subjects such as writing forensic reports, withstanding cross-examination, maintaining objectivity, marketing your services ethically, and concluding fee agreements, Dr. Gutheil helps smooth your way into this exciting field.

Armed with this knowledge and guidance, you will be fully prepared to embark on your career as an expert witness. Whether you are a seasoned professional or just a beginner, The Psychiatrist as Expert Witness is a reference that you cannot be without.