Forensic psychiatry a specialized field with a focus on the intersection of psychiatric issues and law. Consultation, evaluation, report writing and/or testimony are completed by the psychiatric expert for legal purposes in civil or criminal cases.

As a member of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law (AAPL), Dr. España follows the AAPL Ethical Guidelines for the Practice of Forensic Psychiatry. Furthermore, her opinions are based upon, in addition to her education, training, knowledge, and experience, the records and information with which she is provided.

Dr. España generally expects to receive any and all records, materials, and information that are relevant to the matter and the formulation of her opinions. If, however, after having formulated opinions, Dr. España becomes aware of additional information from any source, she reserves the right to change my opinions based upon said additional information.

• Completion of forensic psychiatry training at Oregon Health & Science University, the sole program of its kind in the Pacific Northwest

• Fellowship training provided robust educational experiences in correctional psychiatry, criminal and civil forensic psychiatry

• Fellowship training had an emphasis on law and legal process, landmark cases, special issues in forensic psychiatry

• Oregon Forensic Evaluator Certificate

• Board certification in general psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, and forensic psychiatry

• One of only a few practicing forensic child psychiatrists in the state of Oregon

Dr. España provides forensic psychiatry services as it relates to cases from civil law, criminal law, and family law. Some of the issues she can address (but are not limited to):

• Competency to stand trial (aid and assist, fitness to proceed)

• Insanity defense (guilty except for insanity/responsible except for insanity)

• Diminished capacity/mental state

• Violence risk assessment

• Mitigation

• Malingering

• Juvenile waiver

• Juvenile culpability

• Personal injury

• Psychiatric negligence and malpractice litigation

• Independent medical examinations (IME)

• Fitness for duty

• Testamentary capacity

• Asylum evaluations

• Serving as an expert witness/testifying

• Child witness reliability, forensic interview of children - conducting interviews and reviewing prior interviews

Please use the contact form on this website.