Assessing Risk of Violence Using Structured Professional Judgment Guidelines

• NCJ Number: 239765
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice Volume: 12 Issue: 3 Dated: May - June 2012 Pages: 270-283
• Author(s): Laura S. Guy, Ph.D.; Ira K. Packer, Ph.D., ABPP; William Warnken, Psy.D., ABPP
• Date Published: June 2012
• Length: 14 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the structured professional judgement model for violence risk assessments.

Abstract

Violence risk assessments are conducted routinely in psychiatric and correctional settings. One method with demonstrated reliability and validity for assessing risk of violence is the structured professional judgment (SPJ) model. In this article, the authors provide an overview of the SPJ model and a brief review of the empirical literature supporting its use. The authors present a clinical case example to demonstrate the use of the HCR-20, the most well researched SPJ tool, with a psychiatric patient being considered for increased hospital privileges and discharge to the community. The authors conclude with recommendations for clinical practice using an SPJ tool when assessing risk of violence. Abstract published by arrangement with Taylor and Francis.