NCJ Number
189057
Journal
Forensic Examiner Volume: 10 Issue: 1/2 Dated: January/February 2001 Pages: 28-31
Date Published
2001
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes the Violence Risk Assessment Guide (VRAG), examines its suitability for evaluating various types of individuals, and offers recommendations for its appropriate use.
Abstract
Since its publication in 1994, the VRAG has gained acceptance as the most effective actuarial tool for violence predictions. The VRAG uses an actuarial approach to violence prediction, as it employs clearly defined variables that have an empirically demonstrated association with violence. The predictor variables are correlated with specified types of violence committed by particular categories of individuals. Twelve risk factors or predictor variables comprise the VRAG. The VRAG has been successfully tested with diverse populations within a variety of settings. It thus has solid empirical and quantitative support and enjoys the endorsement of many leading violence authorities as well as major legal organizations. Appropriately applied, it should enhance any risk assessment and provide valuable information to the judicial process; however, as with any psychological test or instrument, appropriate use of the VRAG requires an awareness of its limitations. Most importantly, a psychologist should consider how close an evaluation subject resembles the original population used to develop the VRAG. Further, violence-risk-assessment experts who praise the VRAG nevertheless recommend that its actuarial data not be used in isolation. They recommend that the VRAG score be considered as part of the assessment in conjunction with other established predictor variables, including any key idiosyncratic factors deemed relevant for a particular subject. 20 references