Indirect psychiatric opinion as a legitimate instrument in contemporary forensic psychiatry
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25118/2763-9037.2026.v16.1565Keywords:
forensic psychiatry, indirect psychiatric opinion, medico-legal evaluation, civil capacity, medical ethicsAbstract
Indirect psychiatric evaluation is a relevant tool in forensic psychiatry, especially when in-person assessment is not feasible. Its validity depends on the quality of the sources consulted. Although the absence of a direct clinical examination limits the conclusions, it is still possible to formulate a technical judgment. Methodological transparency is essential to ensure the scientific robustness of the document. Thus, indirect evaluation should be understood as a legitimate tool of forensic practice, and not as an exceptional resource.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Eduardo Henrique Teixeira, Thiago Cabral Pereira, Alexandre Martins Valença

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