Risk Assessments (Violence, Sexual, Arson)

Forensic risk assessments (violence, sexual, arson) are specialized clinical evaluations designed to estimate the probability of a defendant committing future harmful acts. By utilizing structured professional judgment and validated actuarial tools, our experts provide a clear profile of an individual’s risk trajectory to assist the court by providing clinical evidence relevant to sentencing and risk management.

In the context of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, these assessments are vital for addressing whether clinical evidence is relevant to the statutory dangerousness criteria. Our experts evaluate whether there is a significant risk of serious harm to the public, particularly when dealing with violent, sexual, or fire-setting behaviours.

• Static factors — analysis of historical, unchangeable data such as previous conviction patterns
• Dynamic factors — evaluation of changeable variables like substance misuse or active psychiatric symptoms
• Actuarial tools — the application of statistical instruments such as HCR-20, RSVP, or Static-99
• Protective factors — identification of elements that support desistance and mitigate potential harm
• Functional analysis — understanding the specific triggers, motives, and environmental contexts of offending
• Risk management — development of robust strategies for supervision and treatment in the community

Every assessment is conducted by a forensic expert witness who specializes in the nuances of specific offending types, ensuring the court receives a CPR Part 35 compliant report. The findings balance the rehabilitation needs of the defendant with the over-arching requirement for public safety.

Our experts focus on the clinical nexus between any underlying mental disorder and the identified risk factors. This provides the court with a clear expert opinion on whether psychiatric treatment or secure confinement is the most appropriate route for risk mitigation.