Forensic Psychiatry.ca
Forensic Psychiatry is a specialized branch of psychiatry where the medical and the legal worlds overlap. It is a fascinating, multi-dimensional sub-specialty that involves the application of medical psychiatric expertise in legal contexts.
While the Canadian definition of the sub-specialty is very similar to that of our American colleagues, actual practice differs because of the difference in the legal systems.
About This Site:
This site is intended to provide a brief overview and perhaps some understanding of the issues within this exciting and challenging field in which I have been privileged to work, educate, and learn throughout my professional life. The focus here is on the Canadian psychiatric practice & legal system although much of the clinical content readily crosses geographical boundaries.
About Stephen Hucker:
for professional summary bio, click here
Dr. Hucker is a forensic psychiatrist, trained in Britain and Canada, who has worked in all areas of forensic mental health. He assesses and testifies in a wide range of forensic cases but has had particular clinical and research interest in the area of sex offending including pedophilia & sexual assault, sexual sadism, sexually motivated homicide, risk assessment & management, as well as related non-criminal paraphilias such as transvestism and auto-erotic asphyxia. He has also has more than 30 years of experience in the administration of forensic systems within Ontario.
He is currently a Professor of Psychiatry in the Law & Mental Health Program at the University of Toronto and a member of the medical staff at the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH), in addition to his independent forensic consulting practice. Prior to this, he was at McMaster University in Hamilton as Head of the Forensic Division & Program; at Queen's University in Kingston as Professor & Chair of the Division of Forensic Psychiatry with senior teaching appointments in the Departments of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Law; at the former Clarke Institute of Psychiatry in Toronto as Chief of the Forensic Program; and, at the Metropolitan Toronto Forensic Service (METFORS) as Medical Director.
He has published on a wide range of forensic topics, with more than 80 publications to his credit. His most recent book, Release Decision-making, co-authored with Dr Chris Webster, was released in early 2004, and a second edition with Wiley is to appear in 2006. A co-edited text on Forensic Mental Health in Canada, Handbook of Psychiatry & The Law in Canada, is also forthcoming.
Dr. Hucker lectures to a variety of professional and scientific audiences on forensic issues related to his work across Canada, the US and the UK. He also provides full and half day workshops on topics related to Sexual Abuse, Pedophilia & Child Molesters, Sex Offenders, and Risk Assessment & Management.
He testifies on a regular basis as expert witness in both criminal and civil court cases, including Dangerous & Long-term Offender hearings in Canada, treats sex offenders in a specialized Sexual Behaviours Clinic, advises the National Parole Board of Canada on risk assessment and management of offenders, and consults to various provincial agencies & governing ministries across Canada and elsewhere on forensic systemic issues.
He serves on the Board of Directors the International Association of Forensic Mental Health Services (IAFMHS), and the John Howard Society (Hamilton-Wentworth), on the Scientific Advisory Committee of the International Association for the Treatment of Sex Offenders (IATSO), and is a member of a number of other professional forensic associations. He sits the editorial boards of the J ournal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology and Sexual Abuse, and is a regular scientific reviewer for several other journals and granting agencies. He was recently appointed as full member to the I nternational Academy of Sex Research.