ABSTRACT

Risk assessment, prediction and management aims to prevent harm: harm by the individual to themselves through suicide or self-harm, or harm to another such as a sexual or serious violent assault. The use of mental health professionals within civil and criminal courts in the assistance of assessment of dangerousness and risk of future violence has increased (Yang et al., 2010). For example, expert witnesses may be asked to provide reports regarding risk for the purpose of sentencing or parole which will have implications on the liberty of a perpetrator. This chapter will focus primarily on risk assessment, prediction and management in relation to violent offenders and other serious offenders.