Forensic Psychiatry Working Group​

Background

The Forensic Psychiatry Working Group (FWG) was proposed during EFPT forum 2024 in Riga (Latvia) and approved by the General Assembly in the same year. The initial idea was to address the intersection of the diverse legal systems of Europe and mental health, aiming to gather psychiatric trainees, providing a platform to discuss how psychiatric principles and practices apply within the diverse legal context of Europe as well as topics like criminal responsibility, competency to stand trial and civil commitment.

Objectives

The FWG aims to provide an empowering platform for trainees to pursue their interest in forensic psychiatry. Its expected impact is to contribute to meaningful, evidence-based advocacy that informs and influences policy changes across Europe.

Our values…

  • Empowerment
  • Representation
  • Diversity
  • Friendships
  • Ethics

Strategies

  • Education and Training

Enhance the knowledge and skills of psychiatric trainees in forensic psychiatry through webinars, journal clubs and collaborative learning opportunities.

  • Research and Development

Promote research in forensic psychiatry, encouraging trainees to engage in studies that explore the interface between psychiatry and the legal system.

  • Advocacy and Policy change

The working group aims to become vocal and contribute to advocacy and change in policies through its research.

  • Networking

Create a network of trainees interested in forensic psychiatry, facilitating the exchange of ideas, experiences, and best practices across different European countries

Activities

  • Webinars: Enhanced multidisciplinary webinars on:
    • Wider topics: such as coercion in psychiatry, suicide, violence
    • Niche topics: more specific topics on forensic psychiatry
  • Projects: Opportunities for trainees to participate in research projects, both as:
    • WG Projects: Pan-European Projects
    • Collaborative projects with partner organizations and other working groups.
  • Online Resources: Development of an online repository of resources, including articles, case studies, legal guidelines, and training materials related to forensic psychiatry.
  • Regular meetings: The working group holds regular meetings between members to ensure updating the activities.

Upcoming Activities

Webinars:

  • Danish Forensic Psychiatry:
    • Speaker: Gitte Ahle
    • When: November 2025
  • Downstream wreckage: Exposure to Childhood Trauma and the Risk of Later Violence
    • Speaker: Gwen Adshead
    • When: 19.10.2025; 19:00 CET

Projects:

  • Comparative Report: Coercive measures across Europe
  • Systematic review: Victim to victimizer hypothesis

Membership

The FWG is open to all psychiatric trainees who are interested in forensic psychiatry. For further information, please contact the working group:

Chairs and co-Chairs

Chair: Dr Farshid Monshizadeh Tehrani

As a fourth-year child and adolescent psychiatry trainee based in Copenhagen, Denmark, I bring a rich tapestry of international experiences to my practice. My journey began in Iran, where I started my academic education in law and led me to study medicine in Azerbaijan before a brief training period in Germany. Now, as I pursue my specialization in Denmark, I find myself deeply intrigued by the intersections of healthcare, education, and legal systems across various countries.

My academic path initially veered towards jurisprudence, fueling an enduring interest in forensics that has significantly influenced my medical career. In the past few years in Denmark, I’ve had the privilege of engaging in extensive theoretical training in forensic psychiatry and working alongside senior forensic psychiatrists. This hands-on experience, coupled with my diverse educational background, has profoundly enriched my understanding and approach to psychiatry.

My multicultural and multidisciplinary experiences have uniquely equipped me to navigate and contribute to the field of child and adolescent psychiatry, with a particular focus on forensic psychiatry. Through my work, I aim to bridge gaps between different healthcare systems and bring a holistic, informed perspective to the mental health needs of young people.

Co-chair: Dr Ece Ilgın

I am Dr. Ece Ilgın, an adult psychiatry intern at Marmara University in Istanbul, Türkiye. My interests range from phenomenology to consultation-liaison psychiatry, from mood disorders to forensic psychiatry. I am also a double major in psychology and am on track for my PhD in neuroscience at Yeditepe University. I am looking forward to continuing the projects we have started since last year.

Co-chair: Dr Marina Demetriou

I am Dr. Marina Demetriou, a Psychiatry Trainee currently based in Greece and working at the General Hospital of Corfu. Throughout my clinical training, I have encountered numerous cases where psychiatric symptoms intersect with legal complexities. These experiences raised a strong interest in forensic psychiatry, a field I believe is vital for any mental health professional aiming to fully understand the societal implications of psychiatric care.To deepen my knowledge, I completed a seminar titled Forensic Psychiatry and Forensic Psychology, which provided valuable insights into the interface between law and mental health. However, I strongly believe that ongoing dialogue and exchange of experiences with fellow trainees across Europe is essential for shaping a more informed approach to forensic mental health services.