Welcome to The Forensic Psychiatry Echo. With this inaugural issue, we introduce you to forensic psychiatry, the science that interfaces (and sometimes interferes) with the law like no other. Our legal editor Gary Sherbell and I have been collaborating on writing projects in this field for some time, and we recognize the importance of clarifying the nuances of psychiatry and the behavioral sciences for the legal community. It's hard enough for psychiatry to keep up with its own progress, and harder still for the non-scientific community to appreciate how the subtleties of this very abstract field relate to the law.

Each month, the Echo will examine the most important recent legal decisions dealing with forensic psychiatry issues in the state and federal courts. For some cases, we'll provide historical perspective as well as additional insights from key players, plus, as always, practical commentary—all aimed at making psychiatry digestible and useful to the legal professional. Furthermore, in each issue, we will feature a compelling editorial to stimulate progressive discussion. I hope you get as much satisfaction from reading the Echo as out staff does in preparing it. Let us know what you think—we invite your letters and comments.

Enjoy!