Forensic and Medicolegal Reports - what are they?

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The type of assessment or report you require can vary dependent on the referral context; the criteria the report needs to address; and how the report will inform the legal and decision making process. Ideally, your legal representative will prepare a Letter of Instruction or Terms of Reference that is sent to us. This informs the the report requirements. This will be discussed at the time of referral. 

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Forensic Assessments/Reports: These can include presentence psychological reports for an individual who has been charged with an offence and awaiting sentence. This type of report aims to provide mitigating evidence to the court that can help inform sentence. Other types of forensic assessments include risk assessments for Immigration matters; Child Safety matters; Weapons Licence; or Family Court matters. Risk assessments inform the decision maker of any potential future risk specific to the case at hand. Parenting capacity assessments or protective parenting assessments are requested when decisions involving children are to be made. Forensic assessments also include psychological evaluations for domestic violence cases. 

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Medicolegal Reports: These are independent, objective, clinical psychological evaluations for Civil matters. They can be functional capacity assessments for National Disability Insurance Scheme appeals, Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) hearings, or complex funding disputes. Medicolegal reports can also be for personal injury claims, workers' compensation, or other court hearings. 

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Treatment Progress Reports: If an individual is required to complete treatment due to legal proceedings, it is likely a treatment progress report will be requested upon completion of intervention. These reports are not as lengthy as an independent assessment and primarily focus on treatment, prognosis, and recommendations. 

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Core Specialisation

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• Sexual Violence

• General Violence

• Intimate Partner/Family/Domestic Violence

• Stalking

• Parenting Capacity

• Protective Parenting Capacity

• Personality Assessment

• General Psychological Evaluations

• Functional Capacity

• Psychological Injury

• Victim/Survivor Domestic Violence

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Assessment Process

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All psychological assessments are impartial and independent, and are used to assist in making informed decisions. Each referral is discussed prior to acceptance. Once accepted a quote is given. A date for a clinical interview is booked. Any collateral documentation relevant to the case is forwarded and reviewed. The clinical interview will typically take 3-4 hours and includes obtaining the assessee' psychosocial history, and administration of psychometric assessments. Once this is complete, the assessor will review all material; conduct any relevant research; score and interpret the psychometric assessments; and write the report. The timeframe given for completion of the report is typically between 4-6 weeks after the clinical interview has concluded. 

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Each report will be specific to the referral and will address any outlined questions or concerns. Up to date research will be included where required. An accurate and competent assessment is pertinent to informed decision making. 

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Reports are quoted taking into consideration complexity and time taken to complete the assessment. ​​

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Expert Witness Testimony

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If the report writer is required to attend Court, the Tribunal, or other government agencies, this will need to be discussed and agreed upon with due notice. The cost for attendance is based on an hourly rate. 

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