Simon R I
Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA.
J Am Acad Psychiatry Law. 1998;26(3):361-74.
The forensic psychiatrist must be able to perform a credible psychiatric evaluation and render a competent psychiatric opinion in hotly contested multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) litigation. Forensic psychiatrists are often requested to evaluate MCS claimants by third party payers, employers, lawyers, and government agencies regarding health care costs and disability payments, workers' compensation claims, unemployment benefits, workplace accommodation reimbursements for special housing and environmental needs, civil litigation, and other claims. The credible forensic psychiatric evaluation of MCS litigants is described using the multiaxial diagnostic system of DSM-IV. Forensic psychiatrists must avoid becoming polarized by the current MCS controversy. The ethical requirements of honesty and striving for objectivity can be met by keeping separate the roles of therapist and expert, staying abreast of the scientific literature regarding MCS, and understanding the role of the psychiatric expert in MCS litigation.
法医精神病学家必须能够在激烈争议的多重化学物质敏感症（MCS）诉讼中进行可靠的精神病学评估并给出专业的精神病学意见。第三方付款人、雇主、律师和政府机构经常要求法医精神病学家就医疗费用和残疾津贴、工伤赔偿、失业福利、为满足特殊住房和环境需求的工作场所住宿报销、民事诉讼及其他索赔，对多重化学物质敏感症索赔者进行评估。本文使用《精神疾病诊断与统计手册》第四版（DSM-IV）的多轴诊断系统描述了对多重化学物质敏感症诉讼当事人进行可靠的法医精神病学评估。法医精神病学家必须避免被当前关于多重化学物质敏感症的争议两极分化。通过区分治疗师和专家的角色、紧跟有关多重化学物质敏感症的科学文献以及理解精神病学专家在多重化学物质敏感症诉讼中的作用，可以满足诚实和力求客观的道德要求。
