On the issue of the psychiatrist’s competence in complex forensic psychological and psychiatric custody evaluation

Context and relevance. In the methodology of complex forensic psychological and psychiatric custody assessing, the competence of a forensic psychiatric expert is often related to establishing the presence or absence of any mental disorders in family members or the child's dysontogenesis. At the same time, the scope of tasks solved by a psychiatrist goes beyond the scope of individual psychopathological diagnostics, which determines the need to clarify his competence. Objective. To clarify the competence of a forensic psychiatric expert when conducting complex forensic psychological and psychiatric examinations in disputes about upbringing (forensic custody assessment). Methods. Analysis of the legal regulation of the production of forensic psychiatric examinations, methodological and expert analysis. Results. The tasks of a forensic psychiatric expert in the production of complex forensic psychological and psychiatric examinations in disputes about upbringing are the collection of an objective anamnesis, a subjective anamnesis, and a functional study of parenting. Specific features of forensic psychiatric interviewing of parents aimed at collecting an “objective” anamnesis of the child and identifying the characteristics of parental attitudes are examined. “Anamnestic questionnaire for parents” as an original method of forensic psychiatric research is presented. Conclusions. In complex forensic psychological and psychiatric custody examinations in relation to mentally healthy parents, the competence of a psychiatrist is not limited to establishing the absence of a mental disorder, but involves studying the personal history of parenting and parental attitudes.

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