ABSTRACT

The integration section (I-Section) is a critical part of most forensic psychological evaluation reports. This is especially true for reports written for law enforcement personnel. The I-Section refers to that portion of the report in which the examiner analyzes, prioritizes, and synthesizes signifi cant elements of the evaluation data in order to render opinions leading to recommendations (Melton et al., 2007; Sattler, 1988). In general, writing the I-Section involves crafting a conceptual model of the examinee that addresses questions about the individual’s functioning in a number of different domains. The I-Section relies on various sources to support the examiner’s opinions and recommendations (Ackerman, 2006). Multiple data sources are used in the I-Section to support evidence-based explanations for fi ndings that might otherwise appear vague or weakly supported (Cates, 1999). Integrated reports rely on good clinical judgment skills (Groth-Marnat & Horvath, 2006), and the I-Section is a measure of the standard of practice used by forensic psychologists when conducting psychological interviews, for example, pre-employment evaluations, special unit assignments, and fi tness-for-duty (FFD) examinations. For instance, did the examiner adhere to the ethical demands of forensic assessments, for example, providing notifi cation to the examinee regarding the purposes of the evaluation and any limitations on confi dentiality? The I-Section is not, however, the fi nal word. One important objective of the I-Section is to provide clear and convincing evidence that persuasively communicates the examiner’s “culturally responsive ending words” represented in her or his opinions and recommendations (Melton et al., 2007). This objective is best achieved by establishing an evidence-based (i.e., data-driven) foundation in the report (Goodheart, Kazdin, & Sternberg, 2006).