The American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law defines forensic psychiatry as a subspecialty of psychiatry in which scientific and clinical expertise is applied to legal issues in legal contexts embracing civil, criminal, and correctional or legislative matters.

A forensic psychiatrist provides consultation, reports and expert medical testimony in medicolegal matters for attorneys, courts, insurers and legislators.

Also included in the practice of forensic psychiatry is correctional psychiatry.  Correctional psychiatrists typically treat incarcerated men and women in the jail or prison setting.  Correctional psychiatrists may also be involved in administration or research related to the treatment of mentally ill offenders.