Pros actuarial: is a structured risk assessment to predict
probable violent behavior and other risk behaviors. Forensic evaluator
communicates with the tester himself and what factors were based on, and the
empirical data supporting them. Any employee can use a risk assessment tool
because it is structured and already scored based on the responses. Some risk assessments such as the Hare
Psychopathy Checklist, have been used for years to predict psychopathy.
According to Hanson, R. K., (2005), “ Robert Hare’s dogged efforts to establish
psychopathy as a reliable and valid clinical construct produced the first big
success in violence risk prediction” (p. 213).
Cons: Violent risk predictors are not always exact. According
to Hanson, R. K., (2005), “ The available research suggests that potentially
changeable factors ( e.g., attitudes, lifestyle instability) contribute
information to risk potential that is not captured by purely static, historical
factors” (p. 214).
Pros clinical: clinical assessments are the base for
actuarial assessment. The forensic evaluator is interested in the possibility
of violent behavior within the next few days and weeks. The clinical interview conducted by a
professional is very detailed assessment which consists in gathering
information about the patient’s past, family history, and lifestyle. For instance, children with parents suffering
from major depression are most likely to exhibit depression at some point. This information about the patient could
prevent further undesirable behavior. According
to Zeepedia.com (n.d)“The role of the clinician is crucial
for certain types of tasks that cannot be conducted adequately by purely
empirical methods, including the generation of hypotheses and the use of theory
in formulating questions” (p. 122).
Cons: Unfortunately, extended research has proven clinical
assessment cannot predict violent behavior. This could be to the fact that the
forensic evaluator can diagnose the patient,
at his or her own discretion. In addition, clinical assessments measure
psychological issues such as depression,
and personality disorders.
Conclusion: I believe
both risk assessments complement each other. It is necessary to obtain information from clinical assessment
to come up with statistical research. According to E. Drogin, F. Dattilio, R.
Sadoff, T. Gutheil ( 2011), “As in the assessment of suicide risk, the
evaluator focuses on the clinical aspects of the evaluation-namely,
psychopathology- but also must take it into consideration demographic,
historical, and environmental factors that may be related to an increased risk
for violence or suicide” (p. 336).
Zeepedia.com (n.d). The concept of Psychological Assessment.
Retrieved from http://www.zeepedia.com/read.php?the_concept_of_psychological_assessment_in_clinical_psychology_clinical_psychology&b=84&c=15
