Present status of forensic psychiatry in Denmark

Abstract

In Denmark the desire for psychiatric cooperation within the juridical system has on the whole been on the decline during the past decades. This applies both to the writing of psychiatric reports to the court, and to the sanction system. Within civil forensic psychiatry, practice is almost unchanged and unchallenged, while the demand for one form of social forensic psychiatry has been drastically reduced with the literalization of abortion and sterilization laws. The present practice of penal forensic psychiatry is described. Remarks on the future organization and research are made.