[Violence risk assessment in forensic patients using HCR-20v3: interrater reliability and concurrent validity]

Area of Science:

• Forensic Psychiatry
• Psychometric Validation
• Risk Assessment

Background:

• The Historical, Clinical and Risk Management-20, Version 3 (HCR-20V3) is a tool for violence risk assessment.
• Its reliability and validity require evaluation in diverse forensic psychiatric settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the inter-rater reliability and concurrent validity of the HCR-20V3.
• To examine the HCR-20V3's performance in a forensic psychiatric unit in Argentina.

Main Methods:

• The HCR-20V3 was applied to 35 patients in a forensic psychiatric unit.
• Inter-rater reliability was assessed by two independent coders for 15 patients.
• Concurrent validity was examined using correlations with the VRAG-R and PCL: SV.

Main Results:

• The HCR-20V3 demonstrated moderate to excellent inter-rater reliability for risk factors and summary risk ratings of future/imminent violence.
• Significant correlations were found between the HCR-20V3, VRAG-R, and PCL: SV.
• Non-significant inter-rater reliability was noted for the summary risk rating of serious physical damage.

Conclusions:

• The HCR-20V3 shows promising reliability and validity for violence risk assessment in Argentinian forensic psychiatric patients.
• Findings support the HCR-20V3's implementation in local contexts for clinical decision-making.
• Further research is recommended to enhance violence risk management strategies.