Wrestling superstar Chris Benoit (pronounced ben-WAH), his wife Nancy, and their 7-year-old son Daniel were all found dead in their house on Monday, June 25, 2007. Investigators were called to the scene of the crime to determine exactly what happened.
One of those investigators looking over the crime scene is a forensic psychiatrist. How does a forensic psychiatrist investigate somebody's head when the perpetrator is already deceased? In this article, we will attempt to explain the role of a forensic psychiatrist in both criminal and civil cases.
Forensic psychiatrists have been known to be involved in civil and criminal cases. In criminal matters, the prosecution, defense, or judge may invite them to assist in a case. Most often, forensic psychiatrists are often involved in the investigation of kidnappings, robberies, homicides, as in the Benoit case, and cases of battery, assault, or sexual misconduct. As part of their job, they may be asked to do any or all of the following:
Determine competency or sanity for a defendant to stand trial
Offer judgment concerning the defendant's state of mind at the time of the offense
Create a psychological profile of the kind of person who likely perpetrated the offense
Assess the role of drugs and alcohol in a defendant's behavior
Assess the defendant's understanding of reality and responsibility
Supply investigators with information for use in witness or suspect interviews
In civil matters, the forensic psychiatrist may be required to determine a subject's competency to sign wills and contracts, care for themselves or other people, vote, manage personal affairs, offer testimony, or stand trial. Child and spousal abuse cases are also common areas of interest as well as disputes involving emotional suffering, disability, sexual harassment, or child custody.
In cases of apparent suicide, like the Chris Benoit case, the forensic psychiatrist may be required to perform a psychological autopsy to find out whether the victim took his own life and whether financial problems, drugs and alcohol, or social difficulties contributed to the death. Interviews with friends, family, and co-workers may uncover the victim's demeanor during the time before the tragedy and point the forensic psychiatrist in the proper direction.
As the Chris Benoit case continues to unfold, forensic investigators are working around the clock to determine what led to the death of this wrestling superstar and his family.
