Violence risk assessment: what behavioral healthcare professionals should know

Abstract

Violence risk assessment refers to the attempt to predict the likelihood of future violent behavior so that behavioral healthcare professionals may put into place preventative, risk management measures. Mental health and criminal justice systems around the globe have implemented evidence-based approaches to violence risk assessment, and the research literature in this fast-growing field produces over 100 new articles each year (1). Three fast facts that all behavioral healthcare professionals should know about violence risk assessment are presented below, followed by guidance on how to select the ideal violence risk assessment tool for practice.