The psychological assessment of risk for crime and violence.

Risk assessments for crime and violence are different from other forms of psychological assessment because the presenting problem is not directly observed. Therapists working with depression and anxiety routinely see clients who are visibly depressed and anxious. In contrast, therapists working with criminals may never see a crime. Risk assessment involves estimating the probability of a future event based on secondary, indicator variables. The general principles of assessment for the indicator variables are the same as for other areas of psychology (e.g., reliability, validity, observed, and latent constructs); the special concerns of violence risk assessment are the selection of factors to assess, and the methods for combining the factors into an overall evaluation of risk. Psychological risk assessments are frequently requested for individuals who have violated social norms or displayed bizarre behavior, particularly when they appear menacing or unpredictable. Crucial decisions in the criminal justice, mental health, and child protection systems are predicated on the risk of harm. Indi