On the role of forensic psychiatric experts in the Austrian criminal procedural law

Austrian procedural law contains several features that considerably affect the position and function of psychiatric experts. For example, for some severe crimes the jury court, which has been abolished in many other countries, still exists in Austria. The presentation of the expert opinions to eight laypersons, who alone have to decide on innocence or guilt, places special demands on the psychiatric expert. A further complication is the position of the expert witness nominated by litigants, who are often accused of lacking neutrality. Finally, the general situation of forensic psychiatry in Austria is discussed.