Forensic Psychiatry
What is forensic psychiatry?
Forensic psychiatry, at its most basic level, is the intersection of psychiatry and the law. This includes evaluations for competency to stand trial, evaluations related to not guilty by reason of insanity pleas, medical malpractice cases, violence risk assessments, etc. Forensic psychiatrists perform comprehensive mental health evaluations which can include record review, clinical interviews, and/or psychological testing. After completion of the evaluation, a detailed report is written. For some cases, forensic psychiatrists may be called to testify in court as an expert witness.
Do I need a forensic psychiatrist?
Forensic psychiatrists are most often hired by attorneys who feel their clients would benefit from an evaluation. Sometimes individuals retain forensic psychiatrists when they are involved in a legal matter that requires a mental health evaluation.
Dr. Kaufman received training in forensic psychiatry at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine Montefiore Hospital in New York City. He is board-certified in forensic psychiatry. His forensic clinical experience included treating mentally ill individuals at Sing Sing (a maximum-security prison) and the maximum-security jail-based mental health unit at Riker’s Island. He also has experience in a broad swath of forensic evaluations including:
- Competency to stand trial
- Culpability evaluations for potential Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity clients
- Individuals seeking restoration of the right to purchase firearms (NICS Appeals)
- Mental health evaluations for sentence mitigation purposes
- Mental health evaluations of individuals seeking asylum
- Psychiatric medical malpractice
- Evaluations for substance use diversion courts
- Violence Risk Assessments using the validated HCR-20 tool
Dr. Kaufman is licensed in New York and North Carolina, but forensic experts can often provide services in most jurisdictions across the country. Dr. Kaufman is willing to assist and travel for cases outside of his home state of North Carolina.
Dr. Kaufman does not evaluate any individual under the age of 18.
Dr. Kaufman does not perform psychological testing himself, but he does work with licensed forensic psychologists who utilize a variety of neuropsychological instruments to assess clients.
Initial 15-minute phone consultations are free! Most other services are billed at a flat rate of $400 per hour. Retainers are required for complex cases that need more than 10 hours of work. Please see the sample contract under the forms page for more information.