Is justice served by reliance on ICD and DSM classifications of mental disorder in medico-legal reporting?

SUMMARY The histories of the DSM and ICD classifications are set out so as to identify weaknesses and limitations that can affect their application in medico-legal reporting. These are illustrated by reference to published judgments and three detailed case studies. The analysis and case studies identify how expert witnesses’ reliance on the DSM and ICD can be challenged in order to seek to undermine their evidence.