Abstract: How to assess and grade trauma of stress-related disorders is often problematic and is one of the most concerns in forensic practice due to the lack of standard criteria as well as the presence of diverse expert opinions with regard to minor trauma, mild trauma, and severe trauma and their grading. In addition, consensus on definitions of stress-related disorders have not been reached among forensic experts. In this article, the author compares, analyzes, and discusses the current opinions and disputes, and proposes his own view and suggestions for assessment and gradation of trauma due stress-related disorders. In forensic evaluation of trauma due to stress-related disorders, one must follow the standard criteria given in the Chinese Classification and Diagnostic Criteria of Mental Disorder III (CCMD-III) in combination with a specific disorder type as well as its severity, clinical course and prognosis to make an appropriate assessment and gradation.

Key words: stress-related disorders, trauma, psychic trauma, assessment and gradation