Forensic Authority
Call 801-675-8406
About Daniel Allen, M.D.
Dr. Allen graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelors degree in physics and received his medical training at the Uniformed Services University. He completed his residency in psychiatry at the University of Texas Health in San Antonio, a joint venture with the San Antonio Uniformed Services Heath Education Consortium. He served as a clinical psychiatrist, medical director of outpatient mental health programs, and chief of disaster mental health services from 2014 to 2021. He graduated from forensic psychiatry fellowship training at the University of California, Davis, in 2022.
Dr. Allen has extensive experience in fitness for duty evaluations, risk assessments, criminal responsibility, trial competency, standard of care, and disability evaluations. He maintains active licenses in Alaska, California, Utah, and Nebraska, and continues not only providing forensic expertise but also clinical care for the Defense Health Agency.
What is a forensic psychiatrist?
Psychiatrists are physicians who completed a residency in psychiatry where they became experts in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. A forensic psychiatrist receives additional training after completing their psychiatry residency.
Their additional training is focused on how psychiatry applies to legal issues. A forensic psychiatrist can provide expert opinion on violence risk, criminal responsibility, civil and criminal competence, child custody and visitation, psychic injury, mental disability, fitness for duty, medical malpractice, patient confidentiality, involuntary treatment, treatment in correctional settings, juvenile justice, and ethics.
How is a forensic psychiatrist useful?
The additional training of a forensic psychiatrist not only sharpens their skills in evaluation, but also enhances their communication skills. They are able to translate complex concepts related to mental illness and human behavior for juries and other professionals. A forensic psychiatrist is expert in answering the often difficult questions posed by courts, employers, and other authorized professionals. If you are unsure whether a forensic psychiatrist is helpful in your situation, consider calling 801-675-8406 for a consultation.
What ethical standards does a forensic psychiatrist have?
Guided by the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, a forensic psychiatrist commits to:
Maintain confidentiality to the greatest extent possible and explain before the evaluation what limits to confidentiality may exists;
Obtain informed consent for the evaluation whenever needed or possible;
Strive for objectivity in evaluating for illness or injury, applying clinical information to legal standards, and expressing opinions honestly;
Offer an opinion as an expert only when they have sufficient knowledge, skills, training, and experience.
How is a forensic psychiatrist compensated?
A forensic psychiatrist is not paid for their opinion. They are paid for their time. They bill based on the time they use to review records, to conduct an evaluation, to provide consultation, and to offer court testimony. They also may charge for travel expenses, the tools and tests needed for the evaluation, and the involvement of other recommended professionals.
Typically, a forensic psychiatrist begins work after they receive a retainer fee from the lawyer or party requesting the evaluation.