NCJ Number
170126
Date Published
1997
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Professionals who must provide reports to courts or serve as expert witnesses regarding sexually abusive adolescents in Great Britain should recognize the purpose of the report and cover several specific topics.
Abstract
The prosecution, the defense, or the court may request a report at different stages of the process. The content and focus may vary according to the source of the request. The report should contain subject headings. Topics should include basic information about the defendant, the report writer, the offenses, and the information sources; the family background and personal history; educational and occupational history; personality and habits; the results of the examination; an opinion about the behavior and future risks; and options available to the court. The professional should interview the adolescent several times, interview caregivers and family members, and keep detailed records of the interviews. In court they should dress relatively formally, adopt a serious professional attitude, restrict testimony to areas of expertise, and listen carefully to questions in cross-examination.