§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what research is being carried out in forensic psychiatry; what forensic psychiatry research projects are currently in hand; and if he is satisfied with the level of research.
§ Mr. MoyleThe major research unit in this field is the Special Hospitals Research Unit. It maintains a case register which provides statistical and demographic data about persons admitted to the special hospitals. During the eight years of its existence the unit has undertaken or promoted a wide range of research projects, including studies of chromosome abnormalities in special hospital patients, psychological studies on mentally abnormal offenders and a number of useful methodological studies. Current work includes the completion of a census of special hospital patients and a programme of studies, to be concluded by the end of this year, on the psycho-physiology and biochemistry of social deviance.
My Department is also supporting three studies relevant to forensic psychiatry, namely on (i) the need for security in the treatment of abnormal offenders in the SE-Thames RHA area; (ii) compulsory admissions to psychiatric hospitals from a London borough; (iii) the perception of social casualty in mentally abnormal aggressive offenders.
367WMuch of the work in general psychiatry and criminology, particularly that relating to developments in the treatment of the psychoses, as well as studies concerned to improve our understanding of the so-called personality disorders, have direct relevance to the forensic field. Important research on these topics is being supported by the universities and other funding bodies. However, few psychiatrists have chosen to specialise in forensic psychiatry and only some of these have experience in research methods or have the opportunity to undertake research. The research involvement of other professions has been similarly limited. I am anxious to encourage the further development of research in this area. The recent establishment within the Chief Scientists's Organisation of a research liaison sub-group with the specific remit of looking into the problems of promoting further research in forensic psychiatry is a reflection of this.