All instruments which shall evaluate psychopathology have to be used i
n the native language of the patients. This article gives an inventory
of the instuments which are available in the various Nordic languages
. Thus it is of fundamental importance when planning Nordic collaborat
ive projects in the field of forensic psychiatric research. The conclu
sion is that a considerable number of commonly used instruments for cl
inical psychiatric research have been translated and can be applied to
Nordic projects. However, before an instrument is chosen, an examinat
ion of the national translation, use and psychometrics has to be done.