Family Murderers: Clinical and Forensic Perspectives on the Insanity Defense

By Ambarin S. Faizi, DO fpamed Forensic Psychiatry Associate Navy veteran Robert Fisher killed his wife, his son, and daughter in their Scottsdale, Arizona home, before setting it on fire in April 2001. Authorities believe he committed the murders because he thought his wife was planning to leave him, and he did not want to […]

A “What, When, Who, Where, Why, and How” Guide to Forensic Psychiatric Consultation in Criminal Mitigation

Mentally ill and emotionally disturbed offenders comprise a significant group of those whose criminal conduct has brought them into the criminal justice system. This is a worldwide phenomenon. However, it may be even more pronounced in the United States Criminal Justice System.

Criminal Responsibility and Legal Insanity

Chapter 15 from Forensic Psychology: Crime, Justice, law, Interventions, Fourth Edition explores the history and caselaw as well as describes the forensic mental health assessment of criminal responsibility, and in particular – the not guilty by reason of insanity defence in criminal cases. Particularly, the mental illness defence is explored through examination of case law and case studies from the United States in which the author, John Matthew Fabian, has been involved.

Sanity Evaluations: The relationship between the mental state and the criminal behavior.

The insanity defense is a traditional affirmative defense that dates back to biblical times with more relevant application dating back to English common law. Simply defined, the insanity defense determines whether a defendant is capable of being held criminally responsible for his or her actions. How sanity is more specifically defined differs between states and in Clark v. Arizona, 548 […]

Castro’s statement: Classic signs of a narcissistic sociopath, experts say

Forensic Psychiatrist Mark Levy MD was interviewed by NBC news concerning serial kidnapper and sexual predator, Ariel Castro’s, rambling statement in Court on August 5, 2013. By Jeff Black, Staff Writer, NBC News August 5, 2013, 11:22 am NBCNews.com Ariel Castro’s rambling 20-minute statement in court Thursday, in which he repeatedly said, “I am not […]