Supporting Threat Management with Forensic Expert Knowledge: Protecting Public Officials and Private Individuals.
This article describes the implementation of a Cantonal Threat Assessment and Management (CTAM) in Zurich, Switzerland. In order to support this endeavor, the Specialist Unit for Forensic Assessment and Case Management was installed. The forensic experts provide supervision and short-term assessments to public prosecutors and general psychiatrists. In close cooperation with police threat management units, forensic experts support the assessment and management of individuals who exhibit concerning and threatening behavior towards public officials or private individuals. A public official case study illustrates this joint approach. The author's experience with CTAM, its pitfalls and the potential areas of improvement are discussed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, Department of Forensic Psychiatry, Zurich, Switzerland.
Angela
A
Guldimann
Cantonal Police Zurich, Department of Prevention, Zurich, Switzerland.
Reinhard
R
Brunner
Cantonal Police Zurich, Department of Prevention, Zurich, Switzerland.
Hans
H
Schmid
University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, Department of Forensic Psychiatry, Zurich, Switzerland.
Elmar
E
Habermeyer
D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders; D005104:Expert Testimony / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D008297:Male; D011057:Politics; D011570:Psychiatry; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D012449:Safety; D055807:Stalking; D013557:Switzerland; D014754:Violence