Forensic Research Unit

What is Forensic Psychiatry?

Forensic Psychiatry is the subspecialty of Medicine and Psychiatry concerning the inter-play between mental health, psychiatric disorders, and the law. It is based on a large body of empirical research, which has supported its designation as a sub-specialty of Psychiatry by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

What is the IMHR Forensic Research Unit?

This Unit is an integral part of the IMHR. It is also an integral part of the Integrated Forensic Program of the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group. It has researchers from both the Social Sciences and Health Sciences including: Criminology, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Psychiatry, and Social Work.

The Unit collaborates with other IMHR research units; ROHCG clinical units; the University of Ottawa; Carlton University; Queens University; and the University of Saskatchewan. It also has past and current National and International collaborations.

The Unit has labs at the Royal in Ottawa and at the St. Lawrence Valley Treatment Centre and Forensic Rehabilitation Units in Brockville.

Why is the IMHR Forensic Research Unit Important?

The Unit has identified three major research themes:

1.     The impact of modern media and technology on sex and sex related crimes

2.     The prevention, treatment and de-stigmatization of paraphilic disorders

3.     The impact of interactions between the “Legal System” and the “Mental health System” and how it impacts individuals, their families, and the community.

4.     The Unit is also committed to participating in the IMHR’s Depression Research Unit

Each of the research themes listed above directly impact not only on individuals with mental health and forensic issues, but also on the Courts, and the Community, locally, provincially, nationally and internationally. Our Unit is, multi-site, multidisciplinary, and multi-modal but we share a single goal: to conduct high quality scientific research that translates into prevention of harm.<a