Is retained responsibility a matter for expert psychiatric evidence?

have led to discussion as to whether retained responsibility is a matter for expert psychiatric evidence. The view of the author is that it is. Analysis of the case, sentencing guidelines, and case law are used to support this viewpoint and to demonstrate similarities with the position adopted by Hallett in his influential paper 'To what extent should expert psychiatric witnesses comment on criminal culpability?', published in 2020 in this journal, which critically examined the boundaries of expert psychiatric testimony regarding culpability. Suggestions are made as to how psychiatric experts should respond if asked to assist with retained responsibility.

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Publication Details

Journal
Medicine Science and the Law
Published
2026-03-31
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/00258024261437518
Primary Topic
Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Is retained responsibility a matter for expert psychiatric evidence?

Keith Rix
Medicine Science and the Law
Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending
article

Is retained responsibility a matter for expert psychiatric evidence?

Keith Rix
article en

Abstract

have led to discussion as to whether retained responsibility is a matter for expert psychiatric evidence. The view of the author is that it is. Analysis of the case, sentencing guidelines, and case law are used to support this viewpoint and to demonstrate similarities with the position adopted by Hallett in his influential paper 'To what extent should expert psychiatric witnesses comment on criminal culpability?', published in 2020 in this journal, which critically examined the boundaries of expert psychiatric testimony regarding culpability. Suggestions are made as to how psychiatric experts should respond if asked to assist with retained responsibility.

Medicine Science and the Law
University of East Anglia (GB), University of Chester (GB), Chamberlain University (US)
Peace, Justice and strong institutions
Openalex Percentile: Top 29%
Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending
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