Forensic Psychological Reports for Court
Pre-sentence reports | Risk of reoffending assessments | Firearms licence assessments | Australia-wide
Connect Corner Clinic provides forensic psychological assessments for courts, solicitors, and individuals involved in criminal proceedings. We offer independent, evidence-based evaluations tailored to inform sentencing, parole, bail, diversion, or treatment planning — including reports for individuals at risk of sexual or violent offending.
What is Forensic Risk Assessment?
Forensic risk assessments are independent psychological evaluations conducted for individuals who have been charged with or convicted of a criminal offence.
These reports help the court understand why the offending occurred, the likelihood of reoffending, and the treatment or sentencing options best suited to reduce future risk and support rehabilitation.
We assess:
- Pre-sentence factors (e.g. trauma history, mental illness, substance use)
- Psychological diagnoses and cognitive functioning
- Static and dynamic risks for violence or sexual offending
- Treatment readiness and supervision needs
- We utilise empirically validated risk assessment tools and clinical interviews to provide clear, structured, and defensible psychological opinions.
Why Choose Us?
- Specialized Forensic Expertise: Assessments are conducted by psychologists with forensic training and experience preparing reports and giving evidence in courts and tribunals.
- Defensible, Science-Backed Opinions: Clear, authoritative conclusions grounded in current forensic research and industry best practices.
- Court-Ready, Gold-Standard Assessment: Objective, evidence-based reports built on validated psychological tools to ensure findings withstand intense legal scrutiny.
- Compassionate & Confidential Care: High-integrity service designed to support individuals with dignity as they navigate the legal system.
- Trusted Independent Evaluations: Unbiased, rigorous assessments relied upon by judges, attorneys, and mental health professionals alike.
Understanding Risk Assessment tools
Static risk factors: Historical factors that don't change, such as age at first offence or past offending. They help estimate baseline risk.
Dynamic risk factors: Factors that can change over time, such as substance use, attitudes supporting offending, relationship instability or employment. They show where treatment and supervision can reduce risk.
Protective factors: Strengths that reduce the likelihood of reoffending, such as stable relationships, meaningful work, engagement in treatment and prosocial support.
Actuarial tools: Instruments that estimate risk by comparing a person's characteristics with research samples of people with known outcomes.
Structured professional judgement: An approach where the psychologist systematically assesses evidence-based risk factors, then forms an overall opinion about the nature, severity and likelihood of risk, and how it can be managed.A good risk assessment goes beyond a risk level. It explains what drives the risk, the circumstances in which it is likely to increase, and what would reduce it.
Where assessments take place
Brisbane | Online via telehealth | Eight Mile Plains | Travel and Interstate available
Assessments are conducted at our Eight Mile Plains clinic in Brisbane or by video for clients across Australia. Assessments for people in custody can also be arranged, subject to correctional centre requirements.
Types of Forensic Assessment Reports
These are the reports we are most commonly asked to prepare:
- Pre-Sentence Psychological Reports
Informs sentencing | Identifies relevant psychological factors | Supports rehabilitation planning
Purpose: To assist the court in understanding the psychological context of an individual’s offending.
Pre-sentence reports are completed after a plea or finding of guilt but before sentencing. These reports provide an impartial, expert opinion on contributing factors, risk, and treatment needs.
Best For
- Solicitors seeking an independent opinion on psychological factors relevant to sentencing
- Individuals wanting their background, circumstances and steps toward rehabilitation assessed and explained to the court
- Courts requiring information about a person's mental health, trauma or cognitive difficulties
What’s covered by this service
- Comprehensive clinical interview
- Standardised psychometric testing
- Psychosocial and developmental history
- Risk formulation and clinical opinion
- Mitigating and aggravating psychological factors
- Practical recommendations to reduce recidivism
Outcome
- Court-ready report that is thorough, balanced, and clearly written
- Opinions on treatment and supervision options relevant to sentencing
- Expert insights into the person’s background, risks, and rehabilitation prospects - Risk assessments of violence, sexual violence or domestic violence
Structured risk evaluations | Empirically validated tools | Community & custodial settings
Purpose: To evaluate the risk of reoffending for individuals who have been accused or convicted of sexual, violent or domestic violence offences. These assessments are based on validated, gold-standard tools and best-practice forensic psychology.
Best For
- Courts or parole boards seeking risk assessments for sentencing, parole, or supervision
- Legal representatives seeking an independent opinion on risk and treatment needs
- Community corrections or custodial teams requiring clear treatment planning
What’s covered by this service
- Structured interviews and offence analysis
- Standardised risk tools (e.g., Static-99R, HCR-20, RSVP, SARA, etc.)
- Evaluation of sexual arousal patterns and deviance
- Assessment of personality traits, psychopathy, trauma, and cognitive functioning
- Consideration of drug and alcohol use and its relationship to offending
- Detailed formulation of offending behaviour
- Expert recommendations for treatment, management, and supervision
Outcome
- Professional forensic report suitable for court, parole, or case planning
- A clear risk formulation, including a risk level (where appropriate)
- Tailored recommendations for treatment programs and risk management strategiesWhere appropriate, opinions on suitability for supervision, custodial orders, or community-based sentencing - Weapons Licence Assessments (Firearms Risk Assessments)
Structured risk evaluations | Tailored psychological assessments | Mental health & forensic considerations
Purpose: To evaluate whether an individual is a “fit and proper person” to possess a firearms licence, particularly where concerns have been raised by the relevant regulatory authority (e.g. QPS Weapons Licensing Branch).
These assessments are grounded in evidence-based psychological tools and guided by best-practice standards in forensic mental health.
Best For
- Individuals applying for or renewing a firearms licence where mental health, criminal history, or safety concerns have been identified
- Legal representatives responding to Weapons Licensing inquiries or preparing tribunal submissions
- Regulatory authorities seeking an independent risk opinion
What’s covered by this service
- Structured clinical interview, including mental health and psychosocial history
- Evaluation of historical and current psychiatric concerns
- Forensic risk assessment where relevant (e.g. past criminal charges, aggression, threats, or violence)
- Consideration of emotional regulation, personality traits, substance use, and behavioural patterns
- Review of relevant collateral information (e.g. medical records, police reports, or prior assessments)
- Application of standardised psychometric tools where appropriate
Outcome
- A comprehensive psychological report addressing the applicant’s suitability to possess and use firearms
- Expert opinion on whether the individual meets the threshold of being a "fit and proper person"
- Where relevant, recommendations for further treatment, monitoring, or supervision
- Suitable for submission to QPS, legal representatives, or the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT)
How will things work
.avif)
FAQ
Assessment Questions
Do you accept payment plans?
To make the best support available to all our clients, we offer a variety of payment methods and plans.
In addition to all major banks, credit & debit cards, we also provide buy-now-pay-later options Afterpay and Klarna to help manage the costs in a way that works for you.
Do you accept LegalAid?
We accept Legal Aid fees for parenting capacity assessment reports only. For other assessment reports, Legal Aid fees can only be accepted by provisional psychologists.
Can my assessment interview and testing be online?
Our clinic prioritises privacy; we provide secure HIPAA-compliant telehealth to allow our patients the flexibility of video conference sessions from environments they feel safe within. We are able to offer mental health asessments and cognitive assessments through online interviews and testing.
What types of issues do you assess and what type of reports do you offer?
As our clinicians all have experience across clinical and forensic environments, we offer a broad range of reports. Please use our report finder tool "find the right report" tool to let us know what you need.
Yes, we offer both in-person and online counselling sessions to provide flexible support. Virtual sessions are conducted securely, ensuring the same level of confidentiality and care as face-to-face appointments.
