ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the requirement to assess and manage the risk that always accompany a person's use of violence. The limits to our understanding of violence have been a key theme thus far. It will never be possible to be absolutely certain as to the specific risk that a particular person may present through their future use of violence. While acknowledging the reality of human uncertainty, there has been considerable progress made in making better judgements and decisions in relation to risk and violence issues. Reference has previously been made to the widespread adoption of a public health model in taking forward preventative strategies to reduce the level of violence within society. A personal health issue reinforced the usefulness of a medical approach in considering risk and violence. The chapter presents an extreme example of an unforeseen act of violence.
