Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship

The fellowship incorporates a vigorous weekly didactics curriculum as a primary component of the training. Seminars occur on Tuesday afternoons and Wednesday mornings and afternoons for approximately seven hours per week and take place at the Division of Psychiatry and the Law office on the UC Davis Medical Center campus in Sacramento.

Forensic Case Seminar - Civil/Criminal (Directed by Charles Scott, M.D.)

This seminar focuses on the practical aspects of conducting criminal and civil forensic psychiatric evaluations. Forensic ethics, forensic report writing, deposition and courtroom testimony, and attorney consultation are heavily emphasized. Fellows review case records, participate in forensic evaluations, and write forensic reports on assigned civil cases.  In addition, specialized training will be provided regarding effective use of multimedia in forensic presentations and education.  This seminar meets for approximately three hours each week during the 12-month fellowship.  Finally, fellows receive intensive training in the use of assessment instruments in both civil and criminal forensic evaluations.  Specialized training on issues relevant to juvenile evaluations are also presented during this seminar.  Topics reviewed include juveniles and competency to stand trial, violence risk assessments and juveniles, child custody, child sexual abuse allegations, and child witness testimony.

Forensic Research and Psychological Testing Seminar (Directed by Barbara McDermott, Ph.D.)

This seminar is designed to provide the forensic psychiatry fellow with an overview of research methodology and research applications relevant to forensic psychiatry. Fellows are assisted in the design and preparation of their required research project or paper.  This seminar meets for one hour weekly during the 12-month fellowship . In addition, Dr. McDermott provides detailed training on the use of psychological assessment instruments and their applicability to forensic evaluations and research.  The focus is on forensically relevant assessments, including assessments of response style.

Forensic Case Seminar - Criminal (Directed by Jason Roof, M.D.)

This seminar is designed to provide direct case supervision for the criminal aspects of forensic psychiatry.  Both fellows and faculty present cases that encompass the gamut of criminal forensic work.  Competency to stand trial, not guilty by reason of insanity, sex offender evaluations and criminal responsibility assessments are reviewed weekly.  In addition, fellows will be trained in the use of forensic tools, such as the ABEL screening for sex offenders.  This seminar meets for approximately one and one half hours every week throughout the fellowship year.

Forensic Didactic Lecture Series (Directed by Charles Scott, M.D.)

This seminar provides a didactic curriculum that includes the following topics, and meets for one hour each week for 10 months during the 12-month fellowship.

• A history of forensic psychiatry
• Roles and responsibilities of forensic psychiatrists
• Admissibility of psychiatric tests
• Forensic issues related to competency to stand trial, criminal responsibility, criminal trial process
• Assessment and treatment of sexual offenders
• Correctional psychiatry
• Assessment of dangerousness
• Malingering
• Patient’s rights
• Civil trauma and injury
• Child and adolescent forensic psychiatry
• Ethical issues
• Neuropsychiatry
• Psychological testing

Landmark Case Seminar (Directed and led by Jason Roof, M.D.)

This seminar instructs the forensic fellows in reading, briefing, and presenting legal cases. Mental health legal cases designated by the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law and supplemental landmark cases are reviewed in detail.  The federal Rules of Evidence and Model Penal Code are also discussed. This seminar meets for one hour each week for 10 months during the 12-month fellowship.

Child & Adolescent Case Seminar (Directed and led by Anne McBride, M.D.)

This seminar is designed to provide fellows an opportunity to work with Dr. McBride, program director for the UC Davis Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Residency Training Program, on juvenile and civil cases involving children and adolescents during a specialized child forensic psychiatry case series during the 12-month training period.  Forensic psychiatry fellows with child and adolescent psychiatry training will receive supervision from Dr. McBride on all juvenile court and referred private child forensic cases.  The forensic psychiatry fellow with child and adolescent psychiatry training has the opportunity to conduct or assist in the review of forensic documents, the interviewing of patients, the preparation of written reports, and is provided extensive training in delivering testimony.