Didactics

Forensic Seminar at Central Regional Hospital

This 90-minute seminar meets weekly and is conducted by the forensic faculty. The presenters (faculty members as well as guest speakers) cover a wide range of topics relevant to forensic psychiatry. Readings are assigned prior to each seminar and fellows are excused from any work-related duties in order to attend this seminar (as well as every other seminar). As part of this didactic, fellows are expected to provide courtroom testimony in a mock trial experience, as well as present a forensic lecture to the faculty and staff.

Forensic Difficult Case Conference at Central Regional Hospital

This case conference meets weekly for 60-90 minutes and involves the presentation, interview and discussion of patients from the hospital’s Forensic Evaluation Service. The forensic faculty selects patients who possess unique or interesting characteristics in order to maximize the educational value of the experience. Forensic psychiatry fellows, psychiatrists, psychologists, case specialists, psychology interns and psychology post-doctoral fellows attend this conference, and forensic psychiatry fellows are expected to play a significant role in interviewing and discussing patients.

Landmark Case Seminar at Central Regional Hospital

This seminar meets weekly for four months and involves discussion of landmark cases in forensic mental health as identified by the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, as well as cases of particular importance within North Carolina. Fellows are assigned cases to review and are also expected to prepare case summaries which they present during the seminar series. The seminar is overseen by forensic faculty members.

Forensic Seminar Series, Landmark Case Review, and Moot Court - Federal Medical Center

This seminar meets weekly for 90 minutes and is attended by fellows during their six-month rotation at the Federal Medical Center. The major topics of forensic psychiatry are reviewed in this didactic, which is conducted by the forensic faculty. As part of this learning experience, landmark cases are reviewed and discussed and reading assignments are provided.    

Seminar in Psychiatry and the Law at the Duke University School of Law

Fellows audit this law school course, which meets weekly for two hours during a four-month block and is taught by a member of the forensic psychiatry faculty (Dr. Sally Johnson). This seminar provides information on topics related to the interface of psychiatry and the legal system. As part of this course, fellows are expected to complete assigned readings and submit written papers on course-related topics. In addition, fellows assist in preparing Duke University law students for a mock trial experience involving mental health issues.  

American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Forensic Psychiatry Review Course

The UNC forensic psychiatry fellowship program covers the expenses associated with fellows attending this intensive three-day long review course offered annually by the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law. Taught by the nation’s leading experts in forensic psychiatry, this course covers a wide variety of forensic topics and is geared towards preparing individuals for the forensic psychiatry board examination. The course director provides those who attend this course with a binder containing all lecture materials as well as an interactive CD-ROM.

UNC Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship Program Required Textbooks