Writing Reader-Friendly Forensic Reports
Presented by Sebastian Rilen, PsyD, LP, ABPP.
2 Hours | 2 CEs
This on-demand professional training program on Writing Reader-Friendly Forensic Reports is presented by Sebastian Rilen, PsyD, LP, ABPP in partnership with Ohio Forensic Centers Consortium (OFCC).
Reader-friendly report writing is an innovative approach to assessment that aims to more clearly communicate ideas and opinions to readers. It uses proven visual strategies to help readers understand and process complex information.
This program begins with an overview of the empirical basis for the consumer-driven writing method, tapping a wide variety of research exploring how people learn and digest written information. We’ll contrast these ideas with traditional forensic report writing models and illuminate how to enhance the reader’s understanding of our reports, especially when considering accessibility for an increasingly diverse reader population. We’ll turn to the structure of reports to consider the length and flow of an optimized narrative, with some options to cut redundancy and reduce density. Then we’ll shift to presentation, considering how visual strategies and formatting adjustments can promote better organization that improves retention and eases readers’ cognitive load.
Examples are offered for using graphics in reports, and we’ll finish with practical suggestions to contribute to overall stronger forensic report writing.
Program Outline:
- Conceptual basis (introduction of method, overview of research)
- Structure (report sections and flow)
- Presentation (graphical strategies, color, formatting)
- Frequently asked questions/common issues
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this program you will be able to:
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Describe the conceptual basis and core research underlying reader-friendly methods
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Describe how choices with structure and presentation can be combined to create reader-friendly strategies
Presented By
Psy.D., LP, ABPP Sebastian Rilen, Psy.D., LP, ABPP
Dr. Rilen was originally licensed in California, where he worked at a juvenile hall and a forensic group practice before moving to the Midwest. For the past ten years he has been employed by the State of Minnesota, first for the judicial branch and currently at the state hospital. As the Court’s examiner, Dr. Rilen has conducted numerous competency, criminal responsibility, sex offense, dispositional, waiver, risk assessment, and civil commitment evaluations. He also consults regularly on topics related to technology and the law, business principles of practice development, as well as gender diversity and the law.
Additionally, in 2021, Dr. Rilen founded Streamline Forensics, where he conducts private practice evaluations for criminal, juvenile, and family courts. A secondary function of Streamline includes developing and administering continuing education and training on forensic topics, the lineup for which can be found at www.streamlineforensics.com.
Dr. Rilen is board certified in forensic psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). He also serves as the vice chair of the Minnesota Board of Psychology, as the social media coordinator for the American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP), and as a board member for the American Board of Professional Psychology Foundation (ABPPF), and the American Board of Forensic Psychology (ABFP).
When not working, Dr. Rilen can be found travelling with his family, or at home with his “pack” that includes his human family as well as dogs, hamsters, fish, and hedgehog.