5-YEAR RESEARCH UPDATE (1991-1995) - EVALUATIONS FOR COMPETENCE TO STAND TRIAL

This article reviews and evaluates publications during 1991-1995 with relevance for assessments of competence to stand trial. The review foc uses specifically on articles that provide new concepts or data suppor ted by research or case analyses. The studies are reviewed under the f ollowing headings: (a) the systemic context of competence to stand tri al (CST) evaluations, (b) conceptual definitions of CST, (c) research on CST assessment methods, (d) characteristics of incompetent defendan ts, (e) interpretation and communication of CST evaluation data, (f) i ssues in CST assessment of special populations (juveniles, persons wit h mental retardation), and (g) treatment to restore competence. Sugges tions are offered for further research to advance the quality of clini cal evaluations for competence to stand trial. (C) 1997 John Wiley & S ons, Ltd.