Report Writing and Testimony
This chapter examines the purposes of a forensic report and the choices an author faces regarding a report’s structure, content, and tone. The chapter presents suggestions for steps an examiner can take during the information-gathering stage that will benefit the assessment and make report writing more efficient. Prior recommendations for forensic reports in general are reviewed, including means for proactively addressing possible bias. Suggestions for new formats and innovation are advanced, as is a checklist of desirable CST report attributes. The chapter also presents recommendations for testimony, which, in turn, have implications for report length and format. The research on effective testimony is briefly reviewed, and helpful tips are offered.