THE CREDIBLE FORENSIC PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION IN MULTIPLE CHEMICAL-SENSITIVITY LITIGATION

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.