title: Forensic psychiatry in China.
abstract: This article reviews the legal basis for the development of forensic psychiatry in China, the organization of clinical assessments, and training of forensic psychiatrists. Regulations for the management of patients in Ankang hospitals and the role of forensic psychiatrists within the Criminal Justice system are described. The primary role of forensic psychiatrists is to provide expert opinions on competence to stand trial and criminal responsibility in criminal cases. They are increasingly involved in civil court proceedings and tribunals at the request of a range of official agencies. The clinical cases assessed by Chinese forensic psychiatrists are very similar to those of their counterparts in Western countries, but the organizational and legal framework for these assessments reflects a very different system that has evolved independently.
authors.affiliation: School of Basic Science and Forensic Medicine of Sichuan University Chengdu, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai, China. junmeihu@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Junmei
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Xiaoqi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Jeremy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Coid
mesh_terms: D002681:China; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders; D005260:Female; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000600:supply & distribution; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000193:education