Risk Assessment In Forensic Health Essay

RISK ASSESSMENT IN FORENSIC MENTAL HEALTH

Risk assessment is the process of understanding a hazard such that its potential negative impact can be limited. In forensic services, violence risk assessment and management are critical elements of the delivery of services by professionals from various disciplines including psychology, psychiatry, nursing, social work, and occupational therapy (Hart, 2001; Doyle & Dolan, 2002). These professionals hold an ethical and legal responsibility to prevent or limit future violence by their clients. This serves to ensure not only the safety of the public from violent acts, but also that of healthcare professionals who may be involved in the care of potentially violent individuals, and the clients from self-harmful consequences of violence (Hart & Logan, 2011).

Violence risk assessment can be defined as the process of evaluating individuals to (i) characterise the likelihood that they will commit acts of violence and (ii) develop interventions to manage or reduce that likelihood (Hart, 1998). This definition makes it clear that the process of risk assessment is not only concerned with the measurement of the likelihood of risk, but is also directly linked to risk reduction strategies. Importantly, risk assessment is defined as a ‘process’, which is further clarified by the English Care Program Approach (CPA; Department of Health, 1990), which states: “Risk assessment is not a one-off event, but an on-going process of assessment, review, and reassessment.” Violence risk assessment therefore can be seen as more than just the prediction of future violence, but also involving the development of strategies to reduce or manage that risk.

ACTUARIAL VS. CLINICAL JUDGEMENT IN CLINICAL RISK ASSESSMENT

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...2011). Risk assessment has evolved and research has shown that Structured Professional Judgement emerges as the most promising way forward in risk assessment, as it includes both static and dynamic risk factors, and combines statistical accuracy with clinical experience.

In the case of stalking, which is relatively new in the research arena and thus has a limited evidence base to inform practice, SPJ appears to be the most appropriate as only a detailed and flexible risk assessment process that takes into account the different forms of potential damage can provide a basis for management that reduces the potential harm to the victim and the stalker both (Mullen et al, 2006). Further research into stalking risk factors and comprehensive assessment tools will aid the development of more accurate and detailed procedures specific to the assessment of risk in stalking.