Psychology and psychiatry consider sanity at the time of the offense as a fundamental topic for investigation. A description of sanity at the time of the offense guides professionals. It is to determine whether perpetrators knew the difference between right and wrong. Specifically at the moment of committing their offenses. The presence of mental diseases can disrupt a person’s mental processes. So they cannot understand the wrongfulness of their behavior. To provide a fair assessment in court proceedings, forensic psychiatrists investigate the psychiatric conditions of testifying individuals.
The University of Virginia Forensic Clinic functions as an institution where experts handle cases of this nature. Forensic medical practitioners examine standard institutional data. It is to determine patient mental health status alongside performing psychological examinations of patients. A person who loses awareness due to mental illness could avoid complete responsibility for their crimes. Judicial decisions on justice and treatment over punishment come from the evaluations performed by courts.
The determination of sanity in a criminal context remains essential. The reason is that it safeguards justice through its application. The legal system protects those suffering from serious mental conditions. They maintain the delivery of appropriate justice. Mental health functions alongside law enforcement to establish both security and justice for the general population.