Risk assessment in practice: how do forensic practitioners assess and formulate risk?

Tarpey, Emma Joanne (2021). Risk assessment in practice: how do forensic practitioners assess and formulate risk? University of Birmingham. Foren.Psy.D.

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Abstract

This thesis investigated forensic risk assessment in practice by exploring how forensic practitioners assess risk within forensic settings. Chapter 1 presented an introduction to forensic risk assessment in terms of how forensic risk assessment practices have evolved and developed over time. Chapter 2 examined the psychometric properties of the HCR-20, which is a set of structured professional judgement guidelines for the assessment and management of violence risk. This highlighted that the research demonstrated evidence of reliability and validity for elements of the HCR-20, and that variability existed in the assessment process, within both research and practice settings. Chapter 3 presented a systematic literature review of risk formulation within forensic settings. Findings of this review revealed a limited evidence base pertaining specifically to risk formulation in forensic practice, due to the small number of published studies, which evidenced methodological weaknesses. To address this and contribute to the knowledge base pertaining to risk formulation, chapter 4 presented an empirical study employing a qualitative methodology to explore practitioners’ experiences of risk formulation within forensic practice settings. The findings demonstrated that whilst there was some evidence of shared understanding and consistency in practise amongst the practitioners in the sample, this did not appear to be underpinned by a uniformly implemented set of practitioner guidelines or supporting evidence base. Chapter 5 considered the challenges of defining and researching professional judgment, and recommended the development of professional practice guidelines for risk formulation, to support research and knowledge generation within the field.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Foren.Psy.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Foren.Psy.D.

Supervisor(s):