Mindhunting: Journeys in Forensic Psychiatry

The literary fascination with the troubled and tumultuous lives and minds of secret agents stems back 70 years to the introduction of James Bond in Casino Royale. Contemporary approaches need to provide greater psychological and emotional depth as well as a cracking thrill ride! Thankfully, Samantha Adair's "Tom Grant" series, commencing with Blood Orphan, delivers on all fronts. Joi...

The human fascination with fire is thousands of years old. Fire is the great paradox: it provides warmth, energy and protection but also terror and destruction. What does a forensic psychiatrist think of when confronted by the arsonist? What drives a person to deliberately light fires? What role does mental illness play in fire lighting? Join me as we discuss arson and the curiosity of pyromania,...

Acts of violence seem to be everywhere. We are bombarded by images and stories of violence on TV, in the media, on our socials and even in our own lives. How does a forensic psychiatrist approach the problem of violence? How does it intersect with mental illness and how can we reduce the risks? In pop culture, we will also chat about a very special "club" that uses violence in a unique w...

Over almost 50 years, the David Berkowitz case remains a controversial chapter in the history of New York City and forensic psychiatry. So, just who was the "Son of Sam" and what drove him to kill 6 innocent people over a 12-month period? What can forensic psychiatry teach us about this disturbing, terrifying case? And, just how has David Berkowitz been capture in pop culture? (TW: descr...

Malignant narcissism in the extreme can lead to shocking violence and crimes, even murder. But what can drive that and how does it occur? Does the narcissistic murderer qualify for a mental impairment defense and is treatment a possibility for this type of personality? Let's find out and then explore a nineteenth century gothic horror novel all about vanity and naricissim. (TW: descriptions of...

Terry Gilliam's intriguing 1995 film, 12 Monkeys, taps into the confusing, subjective paradox of human experience. Pandemics are nothing new, but how do we actually decide which "infected" information we can trust? And just who can we trust to deliver it? Above all, can we ever really trust ourselves and our own past, present and future?

Why has the term 'narcissist' become so common? What does it even mean and how do they gaslight? In the opening of this 2-parter, let's chat about self-love, Greek myths, infants, mirrors and how we can work out just who is a narcissist. And, in pop culture, come with me as we meet the true King of Comedy. (TW: descriptions of violent crime)

Stalking is an old problem with a new focus as law makers and clinicians have increasingly understood and acknowledged the serious psychological harm that it does to so many victims. Let's take a walk with the stalker and understand what drives them, who they are, how they operate and what psychiatric conditions may be at play. Our dash of pop culture takes a look at a book and film that exami...

Our moods are at the core of our lives and our human existence. But what happens when our feelings and emotions go to the extreme? When the depression and mania of bipolar disorder take hold, what can happen and how might that lead into the world of forensic psychiatry? Join me for a chat about the highs and lows of this intriguing and misunderstood illness, with a trip to the movies as we meet th...

Set in the midst of the anti-psychiatry movement, the stunning One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a striking portrayal of the varying drives for individual, institutional and social coercion and control. Let's have a chat about how pop culture can brilliantly describe, through the novel and film, just how personal, therapeutic and community relationships can all fracture and the devastatin...

I am thrilled to have my first guest on the Mindhunting podcast series: child and adolescent forensic psychiatrist, Dr Marshall Watson. Marshall sits down to chat about his career, his inspiration and the fascinating, sub-specialty world of child and adolescent forensic psychiatry. How do these young minds end up within the forensic mental health system and what can we do to help them? Marshall an...

Continuing our psychopathic journey, let's chat about what the differences are between a psychopath, an antisocial personality disorder and a narcissist. We can explore some amazing cases and examine the question: so can the psychopath actually be treated ? What can possibly go wrong at a therapeutic community built purely for psychopaths? As always, we will dive into some pop culture ... this...

The psychopath! The first Mindhunting topic that warrants a double episode. In this episode we will chat about what makes someone a psychopath and understand where psychopaths originate from: are they born or made? What is the underlying psychological and emotional structure within a psychopath. And, as always, we will look at psychopathic pop culture: from Wall Street to Wolf Creek. (Trigger warn...

Global superstar and musical phenomenon, Taylor Swift, dropped an impressive double album, The Tortured Poets Department , during her record-breaking Eras Tour in April 2024. So, what does a forensic psychiatrist and psychotherapist make of the messages the album gives us and Swift's enormous capacity to use the darkness of grief and loss for conversion into stunning creativity?

Schizophrenia is a psychiatric illness that can intersect with forensic psychiatry, but what is it? What are the myths and what are the realities? What are the real symptoms, their neurobiology and why might they increase the risk of harm? Come and let's chat about it! And, of course, in pop culture let me tell you about an amazing novel from the 1990s that so articulately describes this illne...

Welcome to the first bonus episode: Micro Mindhunts! These mini episodes will see pop culture lay on my couch as I give my forensic psychiatric analysis. First patient in the waiting room? None other than Dr Hannibal Lecter. Serial killer, cannibal, forensic psychiatrist, culinary master ... or is he really just misunderstood? Come with me as we find out.

So just how does a forensic psychiatrist undertake the task of an assessment? What are the interviewing techniques that are used and just what is a mental state examination? Listen as I take you right into the interview room. As always, some thought-provoking pop culture will also look at forensic psychiatry on the big screen! (Trigger warning: description of a violent crime).

The tragic case of Andrea Yates teaches us so much about a crucial aspect of forensic psychiatric assessments: the motivation behind horrendous crimes. Listen as we explore the interplay between psychosis and the ability to understand right from wrong, with a stunning criminal trial ripped right from the pages of a TV thriller. (Trigger warning: description of violent crime)

Let's look back in time to uncover the origins and history of forensic psychiatry. From the ancient world, to medieval Europe through to contemporary practices. Just how, and WHY , did this fascinating area of medicine evolve? Just when did the 'insanity defense' arrive? And, of course, I will serve up a tasty slice of pop culture on a historical theme.

So just what IS forensic psychiatry? How DO mental health, crime and the law collide? Just what IS the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist? Curious? Listen on for this compelling introduction to forensic psychiatry!

Welcome to the fascinating, eye-opening world of forensic psychiatry, where the law, crime and mental health collide. Curious? Listen on ....