The Psychiatrist as an Expert Witness

A psychiatrist, in India, unlike in the western developed world often is required to play dual role of being a treating psychiatrist and that of an expert witness for the same patient. In the clinical scenario, the principle of therapeutic alliance comes into play, while in the court of law, he/she needs to play the role of assisting the judicial system to deliver “justice.” Psychiatrist role in the court is directed by the court rules and not by the clinical rules. This chapter aims to describe the various roles played by the psychiatrist in the court room and provides a basic outline of the medicolegal expectations from a psychiatrist.