Prof. Susan Hatters Friedman1
1Case Western Reserve University, United States
Biography:
Susan Hatters Friedman, MD, MSt, DFAPA is a forensic and reproductive psychiatrist. Dr. Friedman serves as the inaugural Phillip J. Resnick Professor of Forensic Psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University, and also as professor of psychiatry, pediatrics, reproductive biology, and law. She has also worked in New Zealand, at the University of Auckland, Mason Clinic, and the Auckland Regional Women’s Correctional Facility. Dr. Friedman is past president of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law (AAPL). Dr. Friedman has also served as Chair of the Law and Psychiatry committee at the Group for Advancement of Psychiatry (GAP).
Abstract:
Forensic psychiatrists and psychologists are likely to be increasingly called upon to evaluate pink collar defendants. Lawyers may be tasked with their prosecution or defence.
Pink collar crime is defined as financial crimes in the workplace, carried out by low- to mid-level employees. These differ from the white-collar crimes of chief executives. Pink collar criminals are often women working in offices or community service organisations, or volunteer treasurers who control the purse strings. Thefts initially of small amounts can escalate to significant financial losses. In addition to finances lost, trust is lost. If apprehended, pink-collar criminals often provide gendered narratives, replete with self-serving and narcissistic statements, externalising blame. Pink collar criminals, like their white-collar counterparts, can resort to violence to prevent detection or punishment. Knowledge of patterns, motives, and risk is critical for forensic psychiatric and psychological evaluations, and treatment.