The Use of the HCR-20^V3 in Dutch Forensic Psychiatric Practice

Abstract

In this article, the applicability of the recently published HCR-20^V3 for violence risk assessment in forensic psychiatric practice is discussed. This revision of the HCR-20 is the result of a multi-year development process based on worldwide empirical research, clinical expertise and consultation. Recently, the HCR-20^V3 was implemented in Dutch forensic psychiatric practice by a research team that was also involved in beta-testing and pilot research into the interrater reliability and predictive validity of the first HCR-20^V3 Draft version. This paper presents results of this beta-testing and the pilot study, as well as results from a recently conducted survey into the clinical value and applicability of the Dutch HCR-20^V3. Overall, the results demonstrate that the HCR-20^V3 is a promising revision with sound psychometric properties and improvements compared to the prior version of the HCR-20 for violence risk assessment and management. Furthermore, the first impressions of 192 workshop participants about the HCR-20^V3 were positive. To illustrate the applicability of the HCR-20^V3 for risk assessment and management in forensic clinical practice, a detailed forensic case study is presented.

Keywords:

• HCR-20^V3
• violence risk assessment
• forensic psychiatry
• risk management