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Stephen M. Raffle, M.D. is double Board-Certified in Psychiatry and Forensic Psychiatry. Dr. Raffle has over 49 years as a clinical and forensic psychiatrist offering his expert opinion in Federal and State jurisdictions nationwide. In addition to serving as an expert witness, Dr. Raffle consults to attorneys, judges, insurers, and to employers regarding Fitness for Duty and Risk of Violence (Threat) Assessment:

5000+ psychiatric assessments
Expert testimony in 700 depositions and trials
Successful clinical practice

The job of an expert witness is to educate a jury, judge, attorney, and trier of fact about the forensic psychiatrist's conclusions and how those opinions were derived in a manner well-reasoned, skillful, and easily understood by every person, not only another forensic psychiatrist. In short, an educator. Dr. Raffle’s experience as an educator extends well beyond a forensic venue, yet underpins the key to his ability to explain his opinions.

Prof. of Psychiatry, UCSF Medical School, 20 years
U.C. Hastings College of the Law postgraduate course "Trial and Appellate Advocacy" instructing seasoned attorneys about the direct and cross-examination of expert witnesses, with special focus on mental health experts and licensed medical professionals, Psychiatrists (MDs), Psychologists (LCSWs / MFTs), and physicians in other medical specialties, 11 years

Stephen M. Raffle, M.D. & Associates' expertise is well-established in forensic assessment in the areas of:

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Dementia and Competency
Testamentary Capacity
Undue Influence
Traumatic Brain Injury
Malingering
Emotional Distress: Intentional & Unintentional infliction
Emotional Distress: Forensic Evaluation to render medical-legal opinion
Diagnosis and Need for Treatment
Fitness For Duty
Risk/Threat Workplace Violence Assessment
Wrongful Termination
Discrimination (ADA, Title VII, EEOC)
Harassment
Employment Litigation
Medical Malpractice
Catastrophic Injury
Temporary and Permanent Disability
Medical Records Review
Assist in Preparation for Direct and Cross-examination of Expert Witnesses and Deposition of expert witnesses

Licensed in California.

• View Dr. Raffle's Curriculum Vitae

• View Dr. Raffle's Case Studies

12/3/2014 · Psychiatry

Direct Examination And Cross Examination of The Expert Witness: Psychiatrists And Psychologists

By: Dr. Stephen M. Raffle

In order for a medical opinion to be admissible as evidence in civil, criminal and administrative cases, the basis of the opinion must fulfill either the Daubert Criteria or the Frye test, depending on the jurisdiction. The judge of the court rules on the admissibility of the expert opinion. The effect of Daubert has been to limit expert testimony to opinions which are based on a scientific foundation. Daubert specifies that adequate scientific support and method and a known error rate must exist. The testimony of a mental health expert rendering an opinion using criteria which does not meet Daubert standards is weakened by the implication that it is not based on "sound science." In some instances, for example, a mental health expert uses an approach where there are no peer-reviewed studies or methods, such as when psychologists compose their own neuropsychological test batteries. In most cases where an attorney is considering a "Daubert challenge," a contemporaneous and up-to-date literature search is indicated. Also, extensive case law presently exists as to specific issues. Being familiar with the Daubert criteria enhances effectiveness in challenging a mental health expert's opinion, whether on voir dire or cross examination. On direct examination, the strengths of an opinion reached under Daubert criteria become a "teaching moment" for the trier of fact, because it will be founded on the science of mental health assessment.

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10/27/2014 · Psychiatry

Undue Influence in the Making of a Bequest: A Forensic Psychiatrist Examines The Evidence

By: Dr. Stephen M. Raffle

Undue influence occurs when the testator's freewill and freedom of choice in the disposition of the assets of his or her estate is replaced by the substituted judgment/wishes of another. This can apply to creating a will, codicil to amend a will, trust or other legal instrument.

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2/11/2014 · Psychiatry

Assessing Emotional Distress

By: Dr. Stephen M. Raffle

The medical expert cannot express an opinion about the ultimate question to the trier of fact: how much is the plaintiff's emotional distress (emotional injury) worth in dollars? Yet when the question of these monetary damages is put to a jury, their deliberations are better-served if considered in the context of a Forensic Psychiatrist's knowledgeable findings and testimony.

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4/3/2013 · Forensic Psychiatry

A Few Thoughts About Cross Examination of A Psychiatric Expert Witness

By: Dr. Stephen M. Raffle

My teacher and mentor, Dr. Bernard Diamond, pondered the question about the role of the psychiatric expert and other experts in the courtroom.

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5/29/2009 · Expert Witnessing

The Role of the Expert in the Courtroom

By: Dr. Stephen M. Raffle

My teacher and mentor, Dr. Bernard Diamond, pondered the question about the role of the psychiatric expert and other experts in the courtroom. My first public presentation was to the American Criminology Society on this topic, and it has continued to occupy my attention to the present

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5/28/2009 · Human Factors

How to Read a Psychiatric Report

By: Dr. Stephen M. Raffle

All psychiatric reports evaluate something, but not always the same thing. For example, eligibility for benefits, or fitness to do a job. To make sense of the report, the reader must determine what is being evaluated and how it is being done

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5/28/2009 · Psychiatry

The Therapist as Expert Witness? Reasons the Treating Psychotherapist Should Not Be the Expert Witness

By: Dr. Stephen M. Raffle

In civil cases where emotional distress is alleged, it often occurs that the plaintiff’s attorney designates the treater as his expert. Usually the argument is that the plaintiff’s own therapist has spent many more hours with the plaintiff than the defense expert and therefore "knows" the plaintiff better. The treater often agrees with this reasoning

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