The Scottish Government

2002

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
CHAPTER ONE: BACKGROUND AND METHODS
Background and objectives
Methods
Structure of the report
CHAPTER TWO: RISK ASSESSMENT TOOLS IN USE IN SCOTLAND
Introduction
Overview of tools in use
Type of tools in use
With whom the tools are used
Validation status
Summary
CHAPTER THREE: RISK ASSESSMENT IN ACTION
Introduction
Contexts in which risk assessments were undertaken
Risk assessment in practice
Practical difficulties associated with undertaking risk assessments
Summary
CHAPTER FOUR: STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO RISK ASSESSMENT
Introduction
Reasons for adopting particular approaches to risk assessment
Perceived strengths of the tools
Perceived weaknesses of the tools
Identifying different levels of risk
Summary
CHAPTER FIVE: RISK MANAGEMENT
Introduction
Risk assessment and risk management
Other information informing risk management
Mentally disordered offenders
Summary
CHAPTER SIX: MULTI-AGENCY RISK ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT
Introduction
Multi-agency risk assessment
Multi-agency risk management
Summary
CHAPTER SEVEN: CONCLUSIONS
Criteria for the choice of risk tools
REFERENCES
ANNEXES