Austin Blum, MD, JD

Dr. Austin Blum’s exploration of the intersection of law and psychiatry began at Cornell Law School, where he earned a J.D. and served as a member of the Cornell Law Review. This legal training shaped his understanding of the intricate links between law and human behavior. He subsequently pursued a medical degree at the University of Chicago, where he also completed his psychiatry residency. Driven to specialize in forensic psychiatry, Dr. Blum completed his forensic psychiatry fellowship at the University of California, Davis Medical Center, under the guidance of Dr. Charles Scott, where he was trained to perform evidence-based forensic psychiatric assessments and consultations.

Dr. Blum is double Board-Certified in Psychiatry and Forensic Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and is licensed to practice medicine in California and Illinois. He has been retained as an Expert Witness in civil, criminal, and family law matters. His expertise includes matters involving undue influence, competency, malpractice, and risk assessment. He has also provided expert testimony at deposition and trial in California.

Currently, Dr. Blum serves as a psychiatrist at Napa State Hospital, where he treats patients with severe mental illness and performs forensic assessments. He is also an Assistant Professor at Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Blum’s additional training in neuroscience communication has led to the publication of two commentaries in Biological Psychiatry.

As a forensic expert, Dr. Blum leverages his legal and medical expertise to address complex questions and provide clear, evidence-based answers. He has been an independent contractor to fpamed since 2023.

References available upon request.