title: [Forensic assessment of violence risk].
abstract: Over the last 20 years there have been steps forward in the field of scientific research on prediction and handling different violent behaviors. In this work we go over the classic concept of "criminal dangerousness" and the more current of "violence risk assessment". We analyze the evolution of such assessment from the practice of non-structured clinical expert opinion to current actuarial methods and structured clinical expert opinion. Next we approach the problem of assessing physical violence risk analyzing the HCR-20 (Assessing Risk for Violence) and we also review the classic and complex subject of the relation between mental disease and violence. One of the most problematic types of violence, difficult to assess and predict, is sexual violence. We study the different actuarial and sexual violence risk prediction instruments and in the end we advise an integral approach to the problem. We also go through partner violence risk assessment, describing the most frequently used scales, especially SARA (Spouse Assault Risk Assessment) and EPV-R. Finally we give practical advice on risk assessment, emphasizing the importance of having maximum information about the case, carrying out a clinical examination, psychopathologic exploration and the application of one of the described risk assessment scales. We'll have to express an opinion about the dangerousness/risk of future violence from the subject and some recommendations on the conduct to follow and the most advisable treatment.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Clínica Médico-Forense, Instituto de Medicina Legal de Cataluña, Barcelona, España; Departamento de Medicina. Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud. Universitat Internacional de Catalunya. Barcelona. España. Electronic address: amadeo.pujol@xij.gencat.cat.
authors.forename: Amadeo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pujol Robinat
authors.affiliation: CASM Benito-Menni. Sant Boi de LLobregat. Barcelona. España.
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mohíno Justes
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina. Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud. Universitat Internacional de Catalunya. Barcelona. España; Servicio de Responsabilidad Profesional. Área de Praxis. Colegio de Médicos de Barcelona. Consejo de Colegios de Médicos de Cataluña. Barcelona. España; Unidad de Psiquiatría. Fundació Sociosanitaria de Barcelona. Barcelona. España.
authors.forename: Esperanza L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Gómez-Durán
mesh_terms: D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis; D057237:Criminals / Q000523:psychology; D003617:Dangerous Behavior; D017579:Domestic Violence; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology; D011599:Psychopathology / Q000592:standards; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014754:Violence / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Dangerousness; Instrumentos de valoración del riesgo; Partner violence prediction; Peligrosidad; Physical violence prediction; Predicción de violencia de pareja; Predicción de violencia física; Predicción de violencia sexual; Risk assessment instruments; Sexual violence prediction; Valoración del riesgo de violencia; Violence risk assessment