An attempt is made to give a description of the functions of forensic psychiatry in the Scandinavian countries, including some statistical information on activities and persons involved. Definitions are given. Organizational differences in preparing psychiatric reports to the court in the five countries are outlined, as are the ways in which psychiatrists participate at the post-trial level. Some problems and divergent trends are mentioned. It is concluded that a demand for psychiatric evaluation and treatment of offenders who are psychotic or moderately and more severely mentally retarded will continue to exist, whereas it seems unclear how psychiatrists should deal with the psychiatric problems of offenders with other mental abnormalities. Forensic psychiatric research should include analysis of the functions of this discipline (frequency studies, studies of content, organization and effect).