Ri. Simon, THE CREDIBLE FORENSIC PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION IN MULTIPLE CHEMICAL-SENSITIVITY LITIGATION, journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the law, 26(3), 1998, pp. 361-374
The forensic psychiatrist must be able to perform a credible psychiatr
ic evaluation and render a competent psychiatric opinion in hotly cont
ested multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) litigation. Forensic psychia
trists are often requested to evaluate MCS claimants by third party pa
yers, employers, lawyers, and government agencies regarding health car
e costs and disability payments, workers' compensation claims, unemplo
yment benefits, workplace accommodation reimbursements for special hou
sing and environmental needs, civil litigation, and other claims. The
credible forensic psychiatric evaluation of MCS litigants is described
using the multiaxial diagnostic system of DSM-IV. Forensic psychiatri
sts must avoid becoming polarized by the current MCS controversy. The
ethical requirements of honesty and striving for objectivity can be me
t by keeping separate the roles of therapist and expert, staying abrea
st of the scientific literature regarding MCS, and understanding the r
ole of the psychiatric expert in MCS litigation.