Forensic Psychiatry: A Practical Guide for Lawyers and Psychiatrists
Abstract
to developa modellaw. They see the issue of confidentiality as transcending national boundaries. Their plea is idealistic in these times of global power struggles and the reawakening of the cold war. They also suggest more local regulation because they hesitate to depend on federal regulation alone. Passage of the Federal Privacy Act of 1975 (which went into effect on September 1. 1975) is seen as a first step in this needed development. Articles by Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona and Representative E.I. Koch ofNew York provide an interesting background to this legislation.and juryeducator to the court; it remains with the judge and/or to assess guilt. Chapters such as those on the juvenile and criminal law, sexual offenders, alcohol and drugs, mental competency, domestic relations, and commitment show the wide range of issues presented in this book. Sample cases highlight tendencics in each kind ofcase as well as unique aspects that drama-tize the pointschiatry. Themade.is availablepoints out thatin thepsy-a na#{239}vepsychiatristis an introductionto the usesof MSISthe problem of privacy of medical records. As psychiatrists participate in the progressive nationalization ofmedical practice, the issues in this volume will become more compelling. Laska and Bank have done psychiatry a service by alerting