Chapter 4: The Perils of Disclosure: Writing the Forensic Report
| dc.contributor.author | Kaliski, Sean | |
| dc.contributor.editor | Kaliski, Sean | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-06-10T12:29:10Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-06-10T12:29:10Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2022 | |
| dc.description.abstract | This chapter examines the complexities, ethical obligations, and practical methodologies involved in drafting a forensic mental health report. Historically delivered via oral testimony, contemporary legal standards necessitate comprehensive written documentation that balances an examinee's right to privacy with the court's evidentiary needs. The author outlines a triaged framework for data disclosure, distinguishing between information that must be disclosed (e.g., credentials, legal boundaries, methodologies), data requiring caution (e.g., verbatim examinee accounts, vulnerable or unverified third-party collateral information), and information that must not be included (e.g., derogatory remarks or groundless speculations). Additionally, the text provides critical guidance on navigating diagnostic limitations within legal environments—specifically cautioning against the absolute use of pejorative labels like "malingering"—and offers structural templates and formatting advice to ensure clarity, objectivity, and resilience under cross-examination. Ultimately, the forensic report is framed as a tool of persuasive rhetoric that demands a rigorous, structured narrative capable of translating complex psychiatric evaluations for a sophisticated lay audience. | |
| dc.identifier.apacitation | Kaliski, S. (2022). Chapter 4: The Perils of Disclosure: Writing the Forensic Report. In S. Kaliski. (Ed.), <i>Forensic Mental Health: From Assessment to Recovery</i> (pp.9). Cape Town, South Africa: Edutech. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43304 | en_ZA |
| dc.identifier.chicagocitation | Kaliski, Sean. "Chapter 4: The Perils of Disclosure: Writing the Forensic Report" In <i>FORENSIC MENTAL HEALTH: FROM ASSESSMENT TO RECOVERY</i>, edited by Sean Kaliski., 9. Cape Town, South Africa: Edutech. 2022. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43304. | en_ZA |
| dc.identifier.citation | Kaliski, S. 2022. Chapter 4: The Perils of Disclosure: Writing the Forensic Report. In <i>Forensic Mental Health: From Assessment to Recovery</i>. S. Kaliski, Ed.Cape Town, South Africa: Edutech. 9. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43304 . | en_ZA |
| dc.identifier.ris | TY - Chapter in Book AU - Kaliski, Sean AB - This chapter examines the complexities, ethical obligations, and practical methodologies involved in drafting a forensic mental health report. Historically delivered via oral testimony, contemporary legal standards necessitate comprehensive written documentation that balances an examinee's right to privacy with the court's evidentiary needs. The author outlines a triaged framework for data disclosure, distinguishing between information that must be disclosed (e.g., credentials, legal boundaries, methodologies), data requiring caution (e.g., verbatim examinee accounts, vulnerable or unverified third-party collateral information), and information that must not be included (e.g., derogatory remarks or groundless speculations). Additionally, the text provides critical guidance on navigating diagnostic limitations within legal environments—specifically cautioning against the absolute use of pejorative labels like "malingering"—and offers structural templates and formatting advice to ensure clarity, objectivity, and resilience under cross-examination. Ultimately, the forensic report is framed as a tool of persuasive rhetoric that demands a rigorous, structured narrative capable of translating complex psychiatric evaluations for a sophisticated lay audience. CY - Cape Town, South Africa DA - 2022 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town ED - Kaliski, Sean J1 - Forensic Mental Health: From Assessment to Recovery KW - Forensic Report Writing, Forensic Mental Health Assessment, Information Disclosure and Triage, Collateral Information and Third-Party Interviews, Diagnostic Limitations (DSM-5 / ICD-11), Expert Testimony and Cross-Examination, Malingering Evaluation, Psycholegal Ethics and Privacy LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PP - Cape Town, South Africa PY - 2022 T1 - Chapter 4: The Perils of Disclosure: Writing the Forensic Report TI - Chapter 4: The Perils of Disclosure: Writing the Forensic Report UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43304 ER - | en_ZA |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43304 | |
| dc.identifier.vancouvercitation | Kaliski S. Chapter 4: The Perils of Disclosure: Writing the Forensic Report. In Kaliski S, editor.. Forensic Mental Health: From Assessment to Recovery. Cape Town, South Africa: Edutech; 2022. p.9. [cited yyyy month dd]. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43304. | en_ZA |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Edutech | |
| dc.publisher.department | Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health | |
| dc.publisher.faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences | |
| dc.publisher.location | Cape Town, South Africa | |
| dc.rights.uri | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ | |
| dc.source | Forensic Mental Health: From Assessment to Recovery | |
| dc.source.pagination | 9 | |
| dc.subject | Forensic Report Writing | |
| dc.subject | Forensic Mental Health Assessment | |
| dc.subject | Information Disclosure and Triage | |
| dc.subject | Collateral Information and Third-Party Interviews | |
| dc.subject | Diagnostic Limitations (DSM-5 / ICD-11) | |
| dc.subject | Expert Testimony and Cross-Examination, Malingering Evaluation | |
| dc.subject | Psycholegal Ethics and Privacy | |
| dc.title | Chapter 4: The Perils of Disclosure: Writing the Forensic Report | |
| dc.type | Chapter in Book |