Forensic Experts

Associate Professor

Gary Reisfield, MD

After receiving his medical degree from the George Washington University School of Medicine, Dr. Reisfield completed an anesthesiology residency at the University of Florida and a pain medicine fellowship at the Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard University. Dr. Reisfield subsequently served as a hospice medical director and a pain and palliative medicine division chief at the University of Florida in Jacksonville. As a part of his transition to the University of Florida in Gainesville, Dr. Reisfield completed an addiction medicine fellowship in the department of psychiatry. Dr. Reisfield is board certified in anesthesiology, addiction medicine, and pain medicine. He is a clinician-researcher and has authored more than 75 articles and book chapters. He currently serves as a forensic expert in the UF Forensic Psychiatry Division. Dr. Reisfield’s forensic expertise includes pain management, substance use disorders, diminished capacity due to intoxication and other impairment issues.

Assoicate Professor

Martha E. Brown, MD

Dr. Martha Brown attended medical school, and completed her residency and fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina. After graduation, Dr. Brown moved to New Orleans where she was an Assistant Professor at the LSU Medical School and became Louisiana State Physician Health Program Director. After leading this program for impaired health professionals, developing prevention and treatment for patients from physicians to professional athletes, she was recruited to the University of South Florida (USF) Medical School. At USF she became an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Division of Addiction Psychiatry. In 2006, in addition to this position, she became Associate Dean for Faculty Development in the USF College of Medicine. Dr. Brown also has a long history of being asked to be an expert by State and Federal governmental agencies. She has a number of scholarly and research interests in addiction psychiatry.

EXPERT TESTIMONY

A forensic medical expert is a physician who has the clinical experience and academic training to form an informed, objective medical opinion to a reasonable degree of medical certainty. The forensic psychiatrist evaluates the mental and emotional factors that are relevant to a particular legal contest. This process occurs through clinical interviews, record analysis and psychological and medical testing to formulate an independent and objective opinion. An expert opinion is then thoroughly and effectively communicated by written report, deposition and, if necessary, courtroom testimony. Our faculty and complementary experts possess an impressive range and depth of experience and expertise in forensic psychiatry and supporting disciplines.

We believe the primary requirement of an expert witness is to be a skilled and knowledgeable clinician with the ability to provide objective and insightful assessment and then to work collaboratively with either the plaintiff or defendant’s counsel.

Additionally, to be a member of the UF Forensic Psychiatry Services it is required for an expert witness to be a teacher. Our experts have demonstrated their excellence in persuasively translating their knowledge in an understandable and impartial fashion to court professionals, medical trainees and lay persons alike.

An expert witness must educate attorneys with regard to the relevant behavioral and clinical aspects in the case. If that case proceeds to trial, our experts will conscientiously inform the court and jury with regard to their opinions, as well as the medical foundations for these opinions.

Inherent in our participation is a genuine interest in the field and a seasoned understanding of the role of an expert including the desire to exceed expectations in documentation, thorough and timely reporting and adept provision of testimony.

Forensic Services

Civil | Criminal | Addiction Medicine | Pain Medicine | Psychology & Neuropsychology

Civil

In civil cases, experts from the UF Forensic Division can provide in-depth analysis and testimony regarding emotional injuries, brain injuries, medical practice standards and numerous other legal questions.

Some of the areas our experts have provided opinions and expert testimony include:

• Malpractice
• Personal Injury
• Suicide
• Professional Ethics and Peer Review
• Hospital and Outpatient Treatment Standards
• Sexual Harassment and Abuse
• Sexual Misconduct by Professionals
• Workplace Violence
• Dangerousness Assessments
• Fitness for Duty
• Testamentary Capacity and Undue Influence
• Civil Commitment
• Independent Medical Examinations
• Alcohol and Substance Abuse
• Tobacco-related illness

Criminal

In criminal cases, the UF Forensic Division experts provide in-depth analysis and testimony regarding competency to stand trial, sanity at the time of the alleged criminal offense(s), as well as other questions relevant to criminal issues.

Some of the areas our experts have provided opinions and expert testimony include:

• Competency to Proceed
• Sanity at the Time of the Alleged Offense
• Aggravating and Mitigating Factors
• Pre-sentencing Evaluations

Forensic Addiction Medicine

A medical expert in addiction medicine is a physician who has the clinical experience, academic training and certification to form an expert, objective medical opinion in cases involving alcohol and drugs or other addictive behaviors (i.e. gambling, sex, etc.). The applications of forensic addictionology are widespread in both the civil and criminal proceedings.

A forensic addictionologist integrates his clinical experience with his knowledge of medicine, mental health and the neurosciences to answer questions related to how a particular addiction can influence behavior. Our expert gathers and analyzes extensive, relevant data to formulate an opinion. This opinion is objectively presented by written report, deposition and courtroom testimony, as necessary.

Forensic Pain Medicine

An expert in pain medicine is a physician who has the clinical experience, academic training and certification to form an expert opinion in cases involving the evaluation and management of acute and chronic pain as it relates to both criminal and civil proceedings.

A forensic pain medicine physician integrates his knowledge of pain and pharmacology to answer questions related to how chronic pain and its treatment can influence cognition and behavior. Our experts review medical records, depositions and other documents; perform evaluations of the plaintiff; and consult with the attorneys with respect to the merits and vulnerabilities of the case from a medicolegal perspective. In some cases, the forensic expert may assist by reviewing relevant scientific literature for the attorneys or offer advice with respect to other forensic experts who might be recruited.

Forensic Psychology & Neuropsychology

Litigating cases involving psychological or neuropsychological dysfunction requires expert consultation. The evaluation of emotional, behavioral and cognitive status is paramount to successfully representing your client.

Our experts provide scientifically-informed, objective psychological and neuropsychological evaluations in cases involving intellectual disability or acquired psychological/neuropsychological impairment due to traumatic brain injury, stroke, anoxic encephalopathy or neurotoxic exposure.

Civil cases are frequently referred by plaintiff or defense counsel practicing in the areas of personal injury, medical malpractice, mass tort, product liability or premises liability litigation.

Our forensic psychologists/neuropsychologists are also retained to evaluate individuals involved with the federal and state criminal courts on matters such as mental competency, criminal responsibility/diminished capacity, mitigating factors.