Commentary: conceptualizing the forensic psychiatry report

Relatively little attention has been paid to training forensic evaluators to prepare expert reports. Griffith and colleagues, in two publications, argue for considering forensic report writing as a core competence in the field along with forensic evaluation and court testimony. They expand our conceptualization of report writing to consider the subjective component of report writing, revealing the evaluator's voice. Evaluators bring many identities, voices, and tactics to conducting their evaluations and preparing their expert reports. Evaluators do not simply recount their findings from the evaluation, but create a narrative that is inherently subjective, not purely objective or scientific. Their views should ring true for forensic evaluators at all levels of training and experience. Additional research and training regarding forensic report writing are needed.