Overview
The Institute of Law, Psychiatry and Public Policy (ILPPP) at the University of Virginia (UVA) is an interdisciplinary program in forensic psychology, forensic psychiatry, forensic neuropsychology, and mental health law. Our activities include empirical and theoretical research, forensic clinical evaluations, academic programs, professional training, and public policy consultation and review.
The ILPPP is part of the University of Virginia School of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences and is affiliated with the UVA School of Law. Its training program is supported in part by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS).
Founded in 1972, at the forefront of the revolution in mental health law, the ILPPP has played an instrumental role in developing both mental health law and forensic services in Virginia and beyond. ILPPP faculty bring an integrated and interdisciplinary approach to their professional and public service activities. In addition to scholarly pursuits, ILPPP personnel hold elected offices; serve on editorial advisory boards; serve on commissions, committees, and task forces; and advise and consult on a range of mental health law and forensic service issues.
Throughout its history, the ILPPP has distinguished itself by approaching forensic challenges and public policy questions through a uniquely rigorous scientific perspective.
Research. Research at the ILPPP brings a multidisciplinary approach to a range of psychology-law topics, including empirical studies of clinical and legal decision-making, best-practices guidelines for forensic evaluations, and the analysis of mental health law and policy. Recent work has been funded by the National Science Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, the Center for Statistics and Applications in Forensic Evidence, and the American Psychology-Law Society.
Forensic clinic. Bringing a rigorous scientific perspective to their clinical work, ILPPP personnel conduct forensic evaluations and expert testimony for a wide variety of criminal and civil cases. We evaluate both juveniles and adults. We evaluate and consult across many state, federal, and military jurisdictions.
Educational and training activities. The ILPPP provides trainings on forensic evaluation and mental health law for mental health professionals, attorneys, judges, and forensic or correctional clinicians. These trainings are available online or in-person for professionals within and beyond Virginia. The ILPPP also hosts longstanding and prestigious postdoctoral fellowships in forensic psychology and psychiatry, as well as practica for UVA doctoral students in clinical psychology.
The mission of the Institute of Law, Psychiatry and Public Policy is to:
Improve the capacity of mental health disciplines to provide sound, reliable clinical and scientific information to the courts.
Develop and shape laws and public policies related to mental health and human development.
Understand, assess, and manage violence in society, with particular emphasis on violence among people with mental disorders.
Promote human rights by strengthening the ethical and legal foundations of the rights of persons considered to have mental illnesses and disabilities.