Welner, Michael

FORENSIC PSYCHIATRIST

Michael Welner, founder and chairman of The Forensic Panel (a national forensic consultation group), is a clinical associate professor of psychiatry at New York University School of Medicine, and an adjunct professor of law at Duquesne University.

In 1996, he launched The Forensic Echo, a practitioner written forensic journal designed to combine cutting edge technology in forensic science with expert commentary, case studies, and investigative reportage.

Early in his career as a forensic psychiatrist, Welner recognized the need for a different approach to forensic examination than was typically provided by so-called "hired gun" experts. He held that the way to fair and precise assessment of criminal culpability (or the lack thereof) was to institute a peer-reviewed system for thorough, accurate, objective forensic assessments. This led to the creation of The Forensic Panel in 1998. The Panel's headquarters is in New York City; it is the first, and only, peer-reviewed expert forensic consultation practice in the United States. The peer-review process is this: members conduct their assessments and synthesize their findings. They then present their conclusions to renowned, expert peers through the use of a formal protocol intended to minimize examiner bias and maximize examiner objectivity.

Welner's goal, that of scientific neutrality in the criminal sentencing (and in all aspects of the law enforcement system) process, is achieved within the context of his nationally acclaimed Forensic Panel: to bring depth of understanding, diligence, extensive use of scientific methodology, and objectivity to the process of forensic examination.

More recently, Michael Welner has self-funded The Depravity Scale Project, the end product of which is the Depravity Scale, leading to a forensic definition of the concept of evil. The Scale is an historical assessment tool designed to codify definition of such concepts as "atrocious, cruel, heinous, depraved, and vile" in order to ensure fair and consistent application of the their use during criminal sentencing.

The American Psychiatric Institute publicly recognized Welner for excellence in medical education in 1997, and noted that his consistent innovations in clinical practice have had far-reaching beneficial effects on the practice and the profession of forensic psychiatry. Michael Welner is a frequent consultant to the court system throughout the nation.

see also American Academy of Forensic Sciences; Careers in forensic science; Criminal profiling; Expert witnesses; Psychological profile.