Forensic and Psychological Reports
I once watched a brilliant psychiatric expert be savaged on cross-examination in a child welfare case based on what was almost certainly a transcriptionist’s error in their report. This expert’s report was brilliant, but that error was a vulnerability. That stayed with me. Then I had to switch careers from the law to editing in order to take care of a disabled family member, and a PsyD came to me for editing help. That is how I got my start editing forensic reports. To get a sense of my professional background, including publications and similar, see my My Work page.
What can you do for me?
When you give me your report in rough form, I can edit for grammar, spelling, usage, and punctuation. I can also smooth out awkward language, cross-check OCR cut-and-pastes, help with formatting issues, and flag areas that a reader might find confusing. I can also list and summarize the discovery. This allows you to get working on the next task.
What else?
Well, as all editors do, I put myself in the shoes of the reader. For forensic reports, the reader is either a juror or a judge. Sometimes, the judge is newer and is unfamiliar with the subject matter. As I edit, I will make that assumption. As your editor, I will simplify the language or flag a section for further explanation if I think that a juror or newer judge might have questions. Sometimes, this is a matter of a sentence or two.
Can you give me an example of this?
Sure. You might give a summary of a radiological report. You might be intending to just testify about the significance of the report and what the results mean, but there it is, sitting in your report with just the results. Regardless of what else it’s for, your report is going to serve as a recap of your testimony. I would flag this summary and ask you to explain it. Or you might identify a medication or an anatomical structure, and I’ve got the judgment to know whether the term is important enough to define in the moment and ask you to do so.
This could even involve a potential red herring. For example, which I totally made up, “Mr. Doe’s blood work was notable for the presence of amphetamine metabolites and low potassium.” Is the low potassium relevant? If not, that should be footnoted, so the jury doesn’t get wrapped around the axle. If it is, it should be explained in your report.
Another example might be the name, indication, and dose of a medication. What’s it for? Is the dose right? If someone’s on a stool softener, maybe that’s not relevant.
Do you have business hours? What if I have an emergency report on a holiday weekend?
With very specifically delimited exceptions, I’m pretty much always open for forensic clients. Novelists have soft deadlines, and I don’t work on weekends or holidays for fiction clients.
How do you manage that? Do you ever sleep?
I manage by limiting the number of forensic clients I accept. If I’m soliciting for new clients, it means that someone has retired or gone back to exclusively clinical work.
Will you critique my conclusion?
Never. I am not qualified to decide whether your opinions and conclusions are correct. My job is to help you communicate your opinions and conclusions as effectively as possible.
Awww, come on, just a hint? You’ve edited thousands of these reports. Do you think John Doe is a vulnerable adult?
I’d respond by returning your report to you untouched and declining to work with you further. I’m an expert on how to edit forensic psych reports, to summarize records, and perhaps to do certain ministerial writing (“Please fill out the history section using the interview transcript as a guide.”). That does not make me a mental health expert.
But you’re also a lawyer!
Yes, but you’re retained by a lawyer. Any legal matters are the province of the lawyer who retained you.
Why aren’t you practicing law now?
As above, I had to stop practicing law to take care of a sick family member. Once I didn’t need to do that anymore, I decided that I liked being an editor and technical writer more.
What do you charge?
I charge $60 an hour, with a prepaid retainer—with the proviso that if I’m in the middle of your emergency report and exhaust that retainer, I’m not going to stop work until you pay me. I’ll send you the time sheet with the completed report.
What kind of forensic reports do you edit?
Glad you asked. Here’s a list:
- Criminal law issues
- Competency to stand trial
- Domestic violence
- Family law
- Fitness for duty
- Guardianship/conservatorship
- Impaired professionals
- Legal malpractice
- Medical malpractice
- Mental disability
- Personal injury
- Placement of vulnerable adults
- Police procedures
- Policy psychiatry/psychology
- Posttraumatic stress disorder
- Psychoeducational reports
- Sanity at the time of the offense
- Stalking
- Testamentary capacity
- Undue influence
- Use of force
- Violence risk assessment
- Vulnerable adults
What about HIPAA?
See the NDA below.
Nondisclosure Agreement
This Nondisclosure Agreement is between Karin Cather Editorial Services LLC d/b/a Karin Cather (“Editor”) and [name of client], (“Client”) relating to any work performed by Editor for Client.
Editor is an independent contractor.
Editor understands that all information transmitted by Client or Client’s employee(s) is HIPAA protected and contains sensitive confidential information, including personal health information belonging to third parties as well as copyrighted material developed by Client (“Confidential Information”).
The status of Editor as an independent contractor for Client is also Confidential Information, except as specifically delineated in paragraphs 6 and 13 below.
Any alteration of Confidential Information performed or developed by Editor does not change its status and it continues to remain Confidential Information.
Except as specifically delineated in paragraphs 6 and 13 below, Editor promises not to disseminate Confidential Information to any third party or parties. “Dissemination” means disclosure of some or all Confidential Information in electronic, paper, or oral form.
Editor will disclose tax-related information to the Internal Revenue Service and the Arizona Department of Revenue for tax purposes.
Editor will not use any generative AI or ChatGPT applications or platforms in the performance of any work for Client.
Editor does not work with subcontractors and shall not subcontract any work performed for Client.
Editor uses Dropbox and OneDrive cloud storage systems. Editor warrants that these accounts are password protected and that Editor does not share her passwords with anyone.
Editor performs all editing tasks on password-protected laptops and an Apple iPhone secured by a password and Face ID. These devices are solely used by Editor.
Editor keeps a timesheet on an Excel spreadsheet that lists the first name and last initial of the subjects of the reports, the nature of the report (e.g., “sanity,” “competency,” etc.), hours worked, fees owed, and any fees paid to Editor by Client.
Any computer repairs will only take place under the direct supervision of Editor or without providing passwords to protect Client’s Confidential Information.
When Editor returns edited reports or other materials to Client, Client may notify Editor of same so that Editor can delete these reports from her laptop, Dropbox, OneDrive cloud storage systems, and email platforms. All applications possible are protected with two-step authentication.
Exceptions: Editor may disclose any information described herein to third parties under any one or more of the following circumstances: (i) upon the express written consent of [name of client]; (ii) as required by law, including, but not limited to, court order, subpoena, or search warrant directed to Editor; (iii) to notify the appropriate authorities of any imminent risk to the safety, liberty, or property of Editor, Client, or third parties; or (iv) for use in Editor’s defense to any cause of action arising from this Nondisclosure Agreement. The Editor is entitled to determine whether any risk is “imminent.”
The provisions of this Nondisclosure Agreement shall survive the expiration or termination of the Editor–Client relationship between Editor and Client.
Hire Me
If you are ready to take your work to the next level