Forensic Services
Expert forensic evaluations built for legal scrutiny. Every assessment is grounded in defensible methodology, transparent reasoning, and clear, actionable opinions.
What Sets These Evaluations Apart
Dr. Tedder has conducted forensic evaluations across correctional facilities, courtrooms, and community settings for over 14 years. His work is informed by direct experience with the populations and systems these evaluations serve, not just textbook familiarity. Every report is written with the understanding that it will be read by attorneys, challenged on cross-examination, and weighed by a judge or jury.
Referrals are accepted from defense attorneys, prosecutors, courts, and agencies. All forensic services are private-pay. Insurance does not cover forensic evaluations under any circumstances.
Forensic evaluations are available statewide across Texas via secure telehealth, including underserved regions such as West Texas, the Permian Basin, the Panhandle, and South Texas where local forensic psychology providers may be unavailable.View areas served →
Competency to Stand Trial
Evaluation of a defendant's present ability to understand the nature and object of the proceedings, consult with counsel, and assist in their own defense under the Dusky standard. Assessments integrate clinical interviewing, structured instruments (ECST-R, MacCAT-CA), record review, and collateral contacts. Reports are written for legal audiences and address both competency status and, where indicated, restorability. Available for felony and misdemeanor matters across Texas courts.
Criminal Responsibility
Retrospective evaluation of a defendant's mental state at the time of the alleged offense under Tex. Penal Code §8.01. Assessment methodology includes structured diagnostic evaluation, review of offense-related records, collateral interviews, and relevant psychological testing (MMPI-2-RF, PAI, SIRS-2). Findings are presented with explicit methodology documentation to withstand cross-examination. Referrals accepted from defense and prosecution.
Risk Assessment
Structured professional judgment evaluations addressing violence risk, sexual offense recidivism, and general recidivism for sentencing, civil commitment, parole, and sex offender registration matters. Instruments used include the HCR-20v3, Static-99R, SVR-20, PCL-R, and LSI-R depending on referral question. Risk assessments are not predictions. They are structured clinical opinions supported by actuarial data, base rates, and individualized dynamic factors. Reports clearly distinguish actuarial findings from clinical judgment.
Sentencing Mitigation
Comprehensive psychological evaluation for capital and non-capital sentencing proceedings. Addresses intellectual functioning, neurodevelopmental history, trauma exposure, psychiatric diagnosis, substance use history, and other mitigating factors relevant to culpability and sentencing. Integrates neuropsychological testing (WAIS-IV, WMS-IV), personality assessment, and structured diagnostic evaluation. Designed to give defense counsel a complete psychological picture that humanizes the client within the evidentiary constraints of the sentencing phase.
Decisional Capacity
Evaluation of an individual's capacity to make specific decisions: medical treatment consent, financial decisions, testamentary capacity, and guardianship proceedings. Assessments are decision-specific and time-sensitive. Capacity is not a global or permanent condition. Instruments include the MacCAT-T, MMSE, MoCA, and neuropsychological screening as indicated. Accepts referrals from attorneys, physicians, hospitals, and families. Reports address the legal standard applicable to the specific decision at issue.
Parental Fitness
Evaluation of parenting capacity for CPS and family court proceedings. Addresses attachment, parenting knowledge and attitudes, mental health functioning, substance use history, domestic violence exposure, and risk to the child. Instruments include the MMPI-2-RF, PAI, BASC-3, and structured parenting instruments. Parental fitness evaluations address a distinct legal question from child custody evaluations. The focus is on parenting capacity and risk to the child, not comparative custodial placement. Both CPS referrals and family court matters accepted.
The Process
Consultation
Initial call with the referring attorney or party to clarify the referral question, scope of evaluation, timeline, and fee structure.
Record Review
Comprehensive review of all relevant legal, medical, psychiatric, educational, and collateral records provided by the referring party.
Clinical Evaluation
Face-to-face clinical interview and standardized psychological testing. Collateral interviews conducted as indicated by the referral question.
Report & Testimony
Detailed written report with clear opinions and supporting rationale. Expert testimony available for deposition and trial as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can request a forensic evaluation?
Referrals are accepted from defense attorneys, prosecutors, courts, child protective services, state agencies, and private parties. Evaluations are private-pay only. No insurance is accepted, which preserves clinical independence and eliminates conflicts with managed care requirements.
How long does a forensic evaluation take?
Timeline depends on evaluation type and case complexity. Competency evaluations typically complete within 2 to 4 weeks of intake. Risk assessments and criminal responsibility evaluations generally require 4 to 6 weeks. Sentencing mitigation and parental fitness evaluations may require 6 to 8 weeks depending on records volume and collateral contacts needed. Expedited timelines are available for court-ordered matters with firm deadlines. Contact us to discuss.
What does the evaluation cost?
Forensic evaluations are billed at an hourly rate with a retainer required at intake. Total cost varies by evaluation type, records volume, and whether testimony is required. Competency evaluations typically range from $2,500 to $4,500. Risk assessments and criminal responsibility evaluations range from $3,500 to $6,500. Sentencing mitigation and parental fitness evaluations are quoted individually based on scope. A detailed fee agreement is provided before work begins.
Will Dr. Tedder testify?
Yes. Expert witness testimony is available for all evaluation types. Testimony preparation, deposition, and trial testimony are billed separately from the evaluation itself. Dr. Tedder has testified in Texas district courts, federal court, and administrative proceedings.
Is telehealth available for forensic evaluations?
Most forensic evaluations can be conducted via telehealth for clients anywhere in Texas, consistent with current Texas licensing board guidance and court acceptance of telehealth-based forensic reports. In-person evaluation is available at the Austin office for matters where the referral source or court requires it.
What psychological tests are used?
Test selection is referral-question specific. Commonly used instruments include the MMPI-2-RF, PAI, PCL-R, HCR-20v3, Static-99R, WAIS-IV, MacCAT-CA, ECST-R, SIRS-2, and LSI-R. All instruments are administered, scored, and interpreted in accordance with published professional guidelines and current research on forensic applications.
How are reports written?
Reports are written for legal audiences, not clinical ones. Every opinion is explicitly tied to the data supporting it. Methodology is documented in sufficient detail to withstand Daubert challenge. Dr. Tedder does not offer conclusions that exceed the data. Where the evidence is mixed or inconclusive, that is stated directly.
Fee and Turnaround
All forensic evaluations are private-pay. A signed fee agreement and retainer are required before work begins. Fees are based on time spent, including intake, record review, clinical evaluation, testing, report writing, and any consultation or testimony.
Typical ranges:
- Competency to Stand Trial: $2,500 to $4,500
- Criminal Responsibility: $3,500 to $6,500
- Risk Assessment: $3,000 to $5,500
- Sentencing Mitigation: quoted by scope
- Decisional Capacity: $1,500 to $3,000
- Parental Fitness: quoted by scope
Expedited review is available for time-sensitive matters. Contact us to discuss timeline and availability before submitting a referral.