Risk Assessment in Forensic Practice

Risk Assessment in Forensic Practice sets out a concise critical review of the way in which risk is assessed in current forensic practice. This text outlines current practice from its historical perspective and discusses major critiques as well as ways in which current practice might be developed to improve public protection.

Autorentext

David Crighton is a Consultant Psychologist and Visiting Professor of Forensic Psychology at Durham University, UK. He was previously Acting Chief/Deputy Chief Psychologist at the Ministry of Justice, UK.

Klappentext

Risk Assessment in Forensic Practice sets out a concise critical review of the way in which risk is assessed in current forensic practice. Setting the area in its historical context, this text outlines current practice in an accessible and clear format and discusses major critiques as well as the ways in which current practice might be developed to improve public protection. Providing an account of the main issues involved in risk and probability and the ways that these have been applied in practice, the book describes current forensic practice in relation to the dominant algorithmic and checklist-based methods. Critiques of these arising from social-legal, risk analysis and experimental psychology perspectives are summarised, and questions of the accuracy, fairness and lack of analysis are considered, along with the main challenges associated with making group and individual predictions of events. The text rejects the idea that clinical assessments of risk are generally ineffective and stresses the role of environmental context, training and expertise in improving practice. Through the author's work in the field, this text also offers insight into the ways in which current practice might be improved and calls for greater analysis and methodological rigour. Risk Assessment in Forensic Practice appeals to a wide range of forensic practitioners including psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, mental health nurses and lawyers. The text is also relevant to those involved in management and decision-making across forensic settings.

Inhalt

Introduction

1. Key Issues in Risk

2. The Language of Risk

3. Current Practice in Risk: Actuarial and Algorithmic Approaches

4. Current Practice in Risk: Structured Clinical Judgement Approaches

5. Critiques of Current Practice: Socio-Legal Perspectives

6. Critiques of Current Practice: Risk Analysis Perspectives

7. Critiques of Current Practice: Psychological Perspectives

8. Dealing with Risk Better: Analysis and Treatment of Risks

9. Dealing with Risk Better: Probabilistic Risk Assessment

10. Dealing with Risk Better: Changing the Environment