This chapter describes the process by which the forensic psychiatrist prepares the report in three stages: deciding whether or not to accept the case; procuring, examining, and categorizing forensic data that serve as the body of the psychiatric report; and formulating forensic opinions for the report. Preparing to write a report begins when the expert receives a consultation request from an attorney. The acronym SLED-SOS helps the expert to recall the information needed during the initial contact with an attorney. The data analysis exercise helps the expert categorize large volumes of data and facilitates describing the evaluation method to others. The five steps outlined in the activity are represented by the acronym PRAMS, which may serve as an aide-memoire for this stage of report preparation: Paper review, psychiatrist's Real-time view, Aggravating circumstances, Mitigating circumstances, and Supplemental information. The acronym CHESS helps the reader recall the steps used to produce opinions.