The Psychiatric Report
Principles and Practice of Forensic Writing

Provides a theoretical background to psychiatric writing in legal contexts and a practical guide to preparing the written report.

Alec Buchanan (Edited by), Michael A. Norko (Edited by)

9780521131841, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 7 July 2011

300 pages, 40 b/w illus. 10 tables
23.5 x 15.5 x 1.5 cm, 0.5 kg

'It is hard to find fault with the book. The editors have achieved their goal of providing an informative and comprehensive guide to writing forensic reports. [This volume] is recommended to forensic practitioners who want a single text to serve as a reference and a guide to their report writing.' The Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law

The written report is central to the practice of psychiatry in legal settings. It is required of mental health professionals acting as expert witnesses in criminal cases, civil litigation situations, child custody proceedings and risk assessments. This book provides a theoretical background to psychiatric writing for the law and a practical guide to the preparation of the report. The first section addresses practical and ethical concerns, including the conduct of the forensic psychiatric evaluation, conflicts of interest, record keeping and confidentiality. The second section contains practical and detailed advice on preparing various types of report, including reports for use in criminal and civil litigation, civil commitment hearings and child custody proceedings. A final section covers special issues arising during report preparation including the use of psychological tests and the detection of malingering. This is an essential guide for anyone required to write a psychiatric report.

Preface
Foreword Paul S. Appelbaum
Introduction Michael A. Norko and Alec Buchanan
Part I. Principles of Writing: 1. History and function of the psychiatric report Kenneth J. Weiss, Robert M. Wettstein, Robert L. Sadoff, J. Arturo Silva and Michael A. Norko
2. Preparation Cheryl Wills
3. Confidentiality and record keeping Howard Zonana
4. Ethics Richard Martinez and Philip J. Candilis
5. Writing a narrative Ezra E. H. Griffith, Aleksandra Stankovic and Madelon V. Baranoski
6. Draftsmanship Phillip J. Resnick and Sherif Soliman
Part II. Structure and Content: 7. Report structure Alec Buchanan and Michael A. Norko
8. Criminal litigation J. Richard Ciccone and Josh Jones
9. Civil litigation Patricia Ryan Recupero and Marilyn Price
10. Civil and sex-offender commitment Debra A. Pinals, Graham D. Glancy and Li-Wen Grace Lee
11. Competency to practice and licensing Jeffrey S. Janofsky
12. Child custody Peter Ash
13. Employment: disability and fitness Robert P. Granacher, Jr.
Part III. Special Issues: 14. Writing for US federal courts Sally Johnson
15. Incorporating psychological testing Madelon V. Baranoski
16. Reasonable medical certainty Gregory B. Leong, J. Arturo Silva and Robert Weinstock
17. Violence risk assessment Alec Buchanan and Michael A. Norko
18. Malingering Charles Scott and Barbara McDermott
19. Psychiatry and ethics in UK criminal sentencing John O'Grady
20. Conclusion Alec Buchanan and Michael A. Norko
Index.

Subject Areas: Psychiatry [MMH], Medicolegal issues [MBQ]