Judgments of violence risk: the impact of information about variable risk factors

Despite perceived promise of variable (i.e., dynamic) risk factors for violence risk assessment, little research has examined the influence this type of factor has on risk estimates and case management decisions. This study explores whether risk judgments and case management decisions change when evaluators are provided with information relevant to variable risk factors. Mental health professionals (N = 155) completed a file-based risk assessment. Participants were randomly assigned a case history and to one of three ‘information’ conditions: (1) the patient’s past functioning, (2) the patient’s past and recent functioning, and (3) the patient’s past and recent functioning, and his plans for the future. Results showed that information about present functioning and future plans had an effect on some risk judgments and case management decisions. The findings suggest that evaluators consider information relevant to variable risk factors when assessing risk. Implications of the findings for violence risk research are discussed.