THE SERVICE IS AN OUTGROWTH OF THE FORENSIC CLINIC ESTABLISHED AT THE TORONTO (ONTARIO) PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL IN 1956 AND TRANSFERRED TO THE CLARKE INSTITUTE OF PSYCHIATRY (AFFILIATED WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO) IN 1964. IN 1974, THE DEMAND FOR PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATIONS OF OFFENDERS WAS INCREASING RAPIDLY--AN ESTIMATED 5 PERCENT OF ALL OFFENDERS WERE CONSIDERED CANDIDATES FOR THE FORENSIC CLINIC. COSTS IN BOTH TIME AND MONEY WERE ESCALATING. THE ANSWER WAS A SERIES OF COURT-BASED OUTPATIENT CLINICS STAFFED BY SENIOR RESIDENT PSYCHIATRISTS WITH BACKUP ASSISTANCE FROM EXPERIENCED FORENSIC PSYCHIATRISTS. THUS THE METROPOLITAN TORONTO FORENSIC SERVICE BEGAN OPERATIONS OFFICIALLY SEPTEMBER 15, 1977. COURT AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY HAVE PRAISED IT HIGHLY. IT HAS SAVED TRANSPORTATION COSTS AND HOSPITAL SECURITY COSTS. BEDS HAVE BEEN RESERVED FOR THE RELATIVELY SMALL NUMBER OF SERIOUS CASES NEEDING HOSPITALIZATION. GENERAL SYSTEM EFFICIENCY HAS BEEN IMPROVED. THE SERVICE NOW ENVISIONS CLINICS FOR OUTLYING AREAS STAFFED BY PART-TIME PSYCHIATRISTS OR PSYCHIATRISTS ON CALL AS NEEDED. REFERENCES ARE APPENDED. (GLR)