[Forensic psychiatric systems in the world].
OBJECTIVE
The study aims to approach forensic psychiatry within different contexts. It endeavors to show how this specific psychiatry science area is influenced by legal and cultural aspects.


METHODS
The bibliography reviewed had in view understanding the different ways of how to deal with law within the psychiatric sphere, from a cultural point of view.


RESULTS
there is a great heterogeneity, of different nature (legal, political, cultural, and religious) that enrich, but at the same time makes difficult, a debate about this issue.


CONCLUSIONS
there are two great obstacles to achieve a good knowledge about the practice of forensic psychiatry all over the world. The first one is represented by a heterogeneity that makes difficult its description in a comprehensible way. The second is the lack of knowledge of the cultural diverse realities. These difficulties should be a stimulus for newer studies of this characteristic. Only in this way it becomes possible to gradually increase the comprehension of this issue.
Abdalla-Filho
Elias
E
Departamento de Etica e Psiquiatria Legal, Associação Brasileira de Psiquiatria, Brasil. elias.abdalla@terra.com.br
Bertolote
José Manoel
JM
D000349:Africa; D000569:Americas; D001938:Brazil; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D005060:Europe; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014943:Global Health; D018166:Health Care Reform; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D008603:Mental Health; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration*; D044349:Oceania