The Forensic Evaluation and Report: an Agenda for Research

The written report is a central component of forensic psychiatric practice. In the report, an evaluator assembles and organizes data, interprets results of an evaluation, and offers an opinion in response to legal questions. The past 30 years have seen substantial development in principles and practice of forensic report writing. Drawing on recent advances in the psychiatric report, the authors explore topics including narrative, forensic ethics, coercion within the justice system, and implications of limitations on data in forming forensic opinions. They offer an analysis of unanswered questions in these areas, suggesting opportunities for further empirical study and theoretical devel-opment. This proposed agenda is important in training, in the development of policy, and in establishing professional guidelines. J Am Acad Psychiatry Law 41:359–65, 2013 The written report is a focal point for many of the skills of forensic psychiatric practice. It requires that the author assemble and organize background mate-rial, conduct a psychiatric evaluation, interpret the results of that evaluation, and relate his findings to the questions that are being asked, usually by an at