Clinicians and inquiries: demons, drones or demigods?

Abstract

Do 'Inquiries after Homicide' have a viable role in risk management? This article argues that although these inquiries can serve to assuage public concern and unearth details for bereaved secondary victims, their case-by-case focus largely undermines any more general lessons that might be learnt about risk management. Concentrating on the details of individual circumstances, the inquiries underpin a theme that if only more or specific facts had been known the tragedy (or more likely, future tragedies) might have been avoided. However, this very detailed analysis may detract from the development and maintenance of clinical skills relevant to risk management. The article concludes by advocating a more broadly based therapeutic approach and greater documentation of information about patients, but recognizes this course inevitably has resource implications; implications which will not be met before clinicians acknowledge such deficiencies.