Comparative forensic psychiatry: I. Commentary on the Italian system.

In a world that is becoming more interconnected, forensic psychiatrists can learn a great deal from the study of comparative forensic psychiatry. Comparative forensic psychiatry is difficult because we are separated not only by different legal systems and forensic concepts but often by language. Comparative forensic psychiatry has the potential not only to inform discussion between forensic psychiatrists from different nations but also to help each of us better understand the system within which we work. This is encouraged because the dialogue requires that wc cxplain what we do and why we do it. Of further help is the perspective that is provided by reviewing a system i n another nation and asking questions in that context. These same questions may travel successfully when we return to considering our own medicolegal sys-