Abstract

In this study, we investigated the potential benefits of using an alternative approach for completing court ordered fitness to stand trial assessments in a Canadian forensic mental health service. Using file information, court databases, and an economic analysis, we compared a hospital-based model of evaluation to a court clinic model in a sample of 96 accused persons from 2013 to 2017. Results revealed a significantly shorter time period for forensic report completion in the court clinic group, but no difference in criminal case processing time between groups. There was a higher rate of accused persons opined to be unfit to stand trial in the court clinic group (25.9%) compared to the hospital-based model (7.7%). Report quality varied somewhat between groups, with forensic assessment reports citing mental disorder and relevant case law more often in the court clinic model. Economic analyses indicated there was a marked cost savings associated with completing assessments at court instead of hospital. Our findings suggest there are several benefits for forensic mental health systems in utilizing community-based models of forensic evaluation.

摘要

在这项研究中，我们调查了在加拿大法医心理健康服务中使用替代方法完成法院命令的适合性以接受审判评估的潜在好处。使用文件信息、法院数据库和经济分析，我们将 2013 年至 2017 年 96 名被告人的样本中基于医院的评估模型与法院诊所模型进行了比较。结果显示，法医报告的完成时间明显缩短法院诊所组，但组间刑事案件处理时间没有差异。与医院模式（7.7%）相比，法院诊所组被控人认为不适合出庭受审的比例（25.9%）较高。各组之间的报告质量有所不同，法医评估报告在法庭诊所模式中更多地引用精神障碍和相关判例法。经济分析表明，在法庭而不是医院完成评估可以显着节省成本。我们的研究结果表明，法医心理健康系统利用基于社区的法医评估模型有几个好处。