Forensic Reports and Testimony : A Guide to Effective Communication for Psychologists and Psychiatrists.

Intro -- Forensic Reports and Testimony: A Guide to Effective Communication for Psychologists and Psychiatrists -- Copyright -- Contents -- Foreword -- Preface -- About the Authors -- Chapter 1: Introduction -- Overview -- Organization of the Volume -- The Importance of Knowing Local Laws, Rules, and Customs -- Report Writing and Testimony in Context -- Points and Avenues of Communication in the Litigation Process -- Chapter 2: Functions of Forensic Reports -- Distinguishing Forensic and Therapeutic Reports -- Forensic Report Functions -- Communicating One's Professionalism -- Framing the Question(s) -- Efficiently Communicating One's Work to Others -- Memorializing the Evaluation -- Complying with Legal Requirements -- Forming and Committing to Opinions -- Anticipating Testimony -- Chapter 3: Content of Forensic Reports -- Understanding and Identifying the Referral Question -- Addressing Only the Referral Question -- Documenting All Sources of Information -- Documenting All Requested Data Sources -- Identifying the Source(s) of Reported Facts -- Including Relevant Information and Excluding Irrelevant Information -- From Report Content to Report Quality -- Practical Implications -- Chapter 4: Principles of Forensic Reports -- Providing the Factual Bases for Opinions -- Distinguishing Facts, Inferences, and Opinions -- Identifying Presumptions and Assumptions -- Limiting Opinions to Expert Opinions -- Minimizing and Explaining Jargon -- Avoiding Inappropriate Use of Absolute Terminology -- Avoiding Problematic Language -- Using Quotes Effectively -- Editing or Otherwise Changing Completed Reports -- Final Comment: Persuading the Reader in a Meaningful Way -- Chapter 5: Structure of Forensic Reports -- Report Structure -- Sequencing Information -- Using Headings and Subheadings -- Report Elements -- Referral Question.

Notification/Informed Consent -- Sources of Information -- Background Information -- Behavioral Observations and Mental Status -- Psychological and Medical Testing -- Diagnoses -- Psycholegal Opinions -- Miscellaneous Matters -- Providing an Executive Summary -- Citing Research in Reports -- Referring to the Subject of the Examination -- Referring to Oneself -- Chapter 6: Interrogatories, Affidavits, Declarations, Demonstrative Exhibits, and Demonstrative Aids -- Interrogatories -- Affidavits -- Declarations -- Demonstrative Exhibits and Demonstrative Aids -- Chapter 7: Conceptual Issues Regarding Testimony -- Components of Effective Testimony -- Credibility -- Clarity -- Clinical Knowledge -- Certainty -- General Principles Applicable to Direct Examination and Cross-Examination -- Taking One's Time -- Answering the Question Asked -- Speaking Audibly and Avoiding Use of Unnecessary Fillers -- Speaking Rationally -- Speaking to the Audience -- Avoiding or Explaining Jargon -- Using Metaphors and Analogies -- Using Humor -- Saying "I Don't Know" -- Developing Direct Examination and Cross-Examination Skills Outside of the Courtroom -- Final Words of Caution -- Chapter 8: Testifying at Depositions -- Purposes of Depositions -- Participating in Depositions -- Chapter 9: Testifying in Admissibility Hearings -- Legal History -- Outcomes of Challenges to Expert Testimony -- Responding to Frye and Daubert Challenges -- Chapter 10: Pretrial Preparation -- Meeting with Retaining Counsel -- Considering and Commenting on the Work and Findings of Other Experts -- Providing Information about Other Experts to Retaining Counsel -- At the Courthouse -- Reconnaissance -- Attire and Appearance -- What to Bring to Court -- Waiting to Be Called to Testify -- The Trial Process -- Chapter 11: Direct Examination -- Establishing Expert Status: Qualification.

Describing One's Involvement in the Case -- Describing Information Sources and the Bases for Opinions -- Communicating One's Findings and Opinions -- Identifying the Limitations of One's Techniques and Findings -- Communicating Confidence and Certainty -- Testifying to a Reasonable Medical, Psychiatric, or Psychological Certainty -- Commenting on the Work and Opinions of Other Professionals -- Chapter 12: Cross-Examination -- Responding to Challenges to Qualifications or Technique -- Challenges to Qualifications -- Challenges to Technique -- Responding to General Aspersions -- Responding to Insinuations of Bias -- Financial Incentives -- Retention Patterns -- Responding to Attempts to Impeach -- Learned Treatises -- Prior Writings or Statements -- Prior Bad Acts -- Responding to Specific Types of Questions -- Yes-No Questions -- Confused, Confusing, or Compound Questions -- Hypothetical Questions -- Questions to Which One Does Not Know the Answer -- Questions That Are Unanswerable -- Questions That Emphasize Alternative Explanations -- Questions About Personal Matters -- Questions About the "Perfect Phantom" -- Questions That Allow the Attorney to Testify as an Expert -- Questions That Are Not Really Questions -- Questions That Express Dissatisfaction with the Answer -- Questions That Misrepresent Facts or Opinions -- Maintaining Composure -- When It Is All Over -- Appendix A: Sample Reports -- Appendix B: Sample Affidavits and Declaration -- References -- Author Index -- Subject Index -- End User License Agreement.

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Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, Michigan : ProQuest Ebook Central, 2024. Available via World Wide Web. Access may be limited to ProQuest Ebook Central affiliated libraries.