NCJ Number
146517
Journal
Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 20 Issue: 1/2 Dated: (1993) Pages: 139-158
Date Published
1993
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This paper reviews strategies for preparing psychosexual evaluations of sex offenders, suggests a report format, and discusses writing style and ethical considerations.
Abstract
The written report often represents the final product of a mental health professional's evaluation of a sex offender. This report is influential at the time of submission and may become part of a permanent record used for years to come. The evaluator must decide whether to write a report that presents both concluding opinions and supporting data or one that presents only concluding opinions. The report should include identifying information, the reason for the referral, the notification of rights, sources of information, personal and social history, sexual and sexual offense history, test results, opinions, diagnostic impressions, information about amenability to treatment, an assessment of dangerousness, and recommendations. Evaluators should try to achieve a competent and professional presentation of the available data, together with the logic by which the conclusions were reached. 37 references