Forensic Assessment Division

The Forensic Assessment Division (FAD) provides the Board’s suitability hearing panels with Comprehensive Risk Assessments to assist in understanding a long-term incarcerated person’s potential for future violence and protective factors that could minimize their risk if released to the community. FAD psychologists use evidence-based risk assessment tools to present hearing panels with their structured professional judgment, or expert opinion concerning each person’s potential risk for future violence. FAD clinicians’ expert opinion include findings from a clinical interview of a person and a review of their institutional record. Comprehensive Risk Assessments may include but are not limited to, evaluation of the person’s commitment offense, institutional programming, past and present mental state, and analysis of static and dynamic risk factors based on the person’s behaviors and relationships, emotions and attitudes, and perceptions and attributions.