Forensic & Medico-Legal Services
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How We Can Support You
At Promises Healthcare, our forensic psychiatrists and psychologists provide expert assessments and reports for legal proceedings in Singapore. We specialize in medico-legal evaluations, expert testimony, and treatment for individuals involved in criminal and civil matters.
Forensic psychiatrists and psychologists bridge the gap between mental health and the legal system. They assess individuals involved in legal cases, providing insights into their mental state, competency, and potential risk. Their expertise helps courts make informed decisions about criminal responsibility, sentencing, custody arrangements, and compensation claims.
Translating scientific and clinical expertise to legal settings
Our forensic experts offer a range of services, including:
- Medico-legal assessments and comprehensive reports: Thorough evaluations and detailed reports for court proceedings, addressing issues such as mental state, competency to stand trial, and criminal responsibility.
- Expert testimony on medico-legal issues: Providing expert witness testimony in court to explain complex psychological concepts and their relevance to the case.
- Psychometric testing: Administering standardized tests to assess cognitive abilities, personality traits, and potential mental health disorders.
- Risk assessments: Evaluating the risk of future violence, sexual offending, or other harmful behaviours.
- Treatment for offenders: Providing therapeutic interventions to address underlying mental health issues and reduce recidivism.
The Scope of Forensic Psychiatry & Forensic Psychology we provide
Our forensic services encompass a wide range of legal and mental health areas, including:
- Criminal law: Assessing competency to stand trial, criminal responsibility, and providing treatment for offenders.
- Family law: Conducting child custody evaluations, assessing parental fitness, and providing therapy for families in conflict.
- Civil law: Evaluating mental and emotional harm in personal injury cases, assessing competency for guardianship, and providing expert testimony in discrimination cases.
- Workplace issues: Assessing fitness for duty, conducting workplace violence risk assessments, and providing support for employees experiencing mental health challenges.
FAQ
Got Questions? We’re here to help
What is the difference between a forensic psychiatrist and a forensic psychologist?
Both are mental health professionals who work within the legal system. Forensic psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication, while forensic psychologists are masters or doctorate level clinicians who specialise in psychological assessment and therapy. At Promises, forensic psychiatrists and psychologists work as a team to address your needs seamlessly.
How can a forensic psychiatrist or psychologist help in a legal case?
They can provide expert assessments, reports, and testimony to assist the court in understanding complex mental health issues and their relevance to the case.
Do I need a referral to see a forensic psychiatrist or psychologist?
In many cases, a referral from a lawyer or the court is required. However, you can also contact us directly to discuss your situation and explore options. When contacting us, it would be helpful to provide us with the following information so we can advise whether a forensic evaluation would be beneficial:
- Legal documents that provide the background to your matter (e.g., charge sheets, statements given to the police, letter of instruction from lawyers, affidavits, etc).
- Medical reports about your past or present condition (e.g., from hospitals, doctors, results of tests such as MRIs, blood tests, drug or alcohol tests, etc).
- Mental health reports from psychiatrists, psychologists, counsellors etc.
How long does a forensic evaluation take?
The duration of a forensic evaluation varies depending on the complexity of the case and the specific questions being addressed. A full evaluation typically involves several interviews with the client, his/her family members and/or significant others, psychological testing (as needed), research and preparation of an expert report. This may take up to 2 to 3 months.
How much does a forensic evaluation cost?
At Promises, our psychiatrists typically perform a screening consultation of about 1 to 1.5 hours to gather the necessary information about the client’s case and mental state, before advising whether the client should proceed to a full evaluation. This costs $500/hr. If the matter is deemed suitable to proceed to a full evaluation, the psychiatrist will then provide an estimate of the costs of a full evaluation after the screening consultation.
