Combining clinical and actuarial methods to assess and manage risk in a New South Wales forensic psychiatric setting.
OBJECTIVE
This paper describes the risk assessment (RA) approach in a maximum security forensic psychiatric unit in New South Wales, Australia. The literature in relation to violence and mental illness is briefly reviewed and discussed and the process of RA is described. Emphasis is placed on the importance of combining clinical and actuarial methods to engage in comprehensive RA.


CONCLUSIONS
It is concluded that a combination of actuarial and clinical assessment completed by a multidisciplinary team of mental health professionals with clinical knowledge of the patient being assessed is proving to be an efficient and effective method. Further directions are highlighted and a cautionary note in relation to the potential for unintended outcomes is made.
Samuels
Anthony
A
Justice Health, University of New South Wales, Australia.
O'Driscoll
Colman
C
Bazaley
Michael
M
D002908:Chronic Disease; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry / Q000379:methods*; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009517:New South Wales; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology*