Risk assessment is a practice that enables one determine the likely outcomes of a situation. In forensic psychology, experts assess the behavior of individuals to determine the likelihood of them committing a crime or causing harm to other citizens in the community (Roesch, Zapf, & Hart, 2010). Risk assessment, therefore, has a great impact on the life of an individual, as the outcomes can help either salvage a likely dangerous situation and thus, save a life or in some instances create controversy.
Current risk assessment practices have several strengths. For instance, with clinical records and historical tendencies, one is able to assess the likelihood of a similar crime or behavior in an individual re-occurring (Hargan, n.d.). This is then helpful in alleviating such incidences from re-occurring.
One of the weaknesses of current risk assessment practices is that they are surrounded by controversy. For instance, the verdict arrived at by the forensic psychologist can at times be prone to bias or incompetence on the part of the psychologist and this eventually results in injustice. For instance, the forensic psychologist might be required to assess the risk that a defendant poses to the society and whichever conclusion he or she arrives at will influence a jury’s decision. Therefore, if the risk assessment was not effectively carried out, it will negatively influence the outcome of a trial (Hargan, n.d.).
How to build upon strengths of current risk assessment practices in forensic psychology
The strengths of current risk assessment can be built upon through the use of appropriate risk assessment methods such as the use of the Violent Risk Appraisal Guide, which uses an individual’s clinical history and behavior after release from a mental institution to determine the likelihood of violent behavior re-occurring. There are other credible and valid risks assessment practices in forensic psychology such as psychopathy checklist (Roesch et al., 2010). This is a 20-item scale for rating a person’s behavior and, especially in predicting the likelihood of them being violent in the future. Therefore, one can build upon risk assessment practices through predicting potential harm and consequently developing strategies that will help prevent future occurrence of violence or harm to the community (Roesch et al., 2010). This practice can further be enhanced through psychological treatments of those prone to violent acts and educating the community on matters pertaining to violence and how to prevent them from escalating. Community awareness is also necessary when addressing potential risks in the society. Medications are also helpful in relieving emotional disorders, anxiety, and aggressive tendencies.
Accounting for weaknesses of current risk assessment practices in forensic psychology
Risk assessment is at most carried out without providing the necessary resources and opportunity for change to the individual or specimen under study. This, therefore, results in controversy and unjust decision-making. For instance, in evaluating the risk likely to be posed by a person who is mentally ill, there needs to have been enough time and resources allocated towards rehabilitating the individual before any final decisions concerning the individual are made.
Preferred term; prediction of risk or assessment of risk
The preferred term is prediction of risk as opposed to assessment of risk. This is because it does not sentence the individual or community under review to the psychologist’s views but gives one a chance to reform and have different results as the verdict might change. Risk assessment is, therefore, necessary in determining the potential dangerous nature of an individual within the society and consequently taking measure to prevent the occurrence of a crime or a fatality.
References
Hargan, V. (n.d.). Issues in Forensic Psychology: Risk Assessment. Retrieved from https://sites.google.com/site/consultingservicesinfo/criminal-justice-issues/risk-assessment
Roesch, R., Zapf, P. A., & Hart, S. D. (2010). Forensic Psychology and Law. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
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