[The Hinckley case and some sequelae for psychiatry].

After John Warnock Hinckley jr. had fired shots at President Reagan and had severely injured three others, he was considered not guilty by reason of insanity and brought to a psychiatric hospital. The case caused an unprecedented public interest because the psychiatric testimonies were contradictory (schizophrenia vs. personality disorder). According to the known facts it is very unlikely that a German psychiatrist would have diagnosed Hinckley as schizophrenic. One of the sequels of the sentence was a lowering of the reputation of psychiatrists for their inability to arrive at clear diagnosis. Another sequel was to increase the funds for research in biological psychiatry. Still another sequel was an insanity defense reform bill. The scientific debate and public discussions continue.