Forensic risk assessments for criminal courts
Our forensic psychiatrists assess violence, sexual and fire-setting risk for sentence and disposal decisions.
- Section 12-approved psychiatrists
- Same-day quotes and CVs
- Legal aid accepted
- Prison, video or in-person assessment
GMC-registered psychiatrists · Reports written to Criminal Procedure Rules Part 19
Risk evidence for sentence and disposal
Before passing an extended or life sentence, the court must decide whether there is a significant risk to members of the public of serious harm from further specified offences (Sentencing Act 2020, section 308). It may take into account any information about the offender, including psychiatric evidence.
Our psychiatrists combine structured professional judgement tools with a clinical formulation, so the court sees the risk scenarios, the triggers and what would reduce them.
Questions our psychiatrists answer
- Risk of violent, sexual or fire-setting reoffending, and its likely severity and imminence
- How mental disorder contributes to that risk
- Whether treatment would reduce the risk, and where it could be delivered
- Protective factors and risk management in custody, hospital or the community
- Licence or order conditions that would help manage the risk
- Stalking and harassment risk, where relevant
Tools used
Our psychiatrists use recognised structured tools, such as the HCR-20 for violence, alongside a full clinical assessment. The tool supports the opinion; it does not replace it.
Risk and the type of sentence
A disorder may be relevant to whether the offender is dangerous and to the type of sentence (Sentencing Council mental disorders guideline). Where a hospital disposal is possible, the expert addresses it too (see hospital order reports).
Current position checked 10 November 2026
The Sentencing Council plans to revise its mental disorders guideline, but no revised version is in force. Dangerousness is assessed under section 308 of the Sentencing Act 2020 as it stands.
Written for the court
Every report is written to the requirements of Criminal Procedure Rules Part 19 and the Criminal Practice Directions in force when it is signed.
Structured and clinical
Each report pairs a recognised structured tool with a clinical formulation of your client’s case.
Scenarios, with reasons
The expert sets out how, when and to whom harm might occur, and what would prevent it.
Duty to the court
The expert’s duty is to the court, and it overrides any obligation to the solicitor who instructs or pays them.
Oral evidence
The expert can give oral evidence and take part in any experts’ discussion the court directs.
A forensic psychiatrist for your risk question
Send us the case details and we will come back with expert CVs and an itemised quotation.
Common questions
When does the court need a risk assessment?
Where it is considering an extended or life sentence, which turns on whether the offender is dangerous, and where it is choosing between custody, a hospital disposal and a community order.
Psychiatrist or psychologist for a risk assessment?
A psychiatrist, where mental illness, medication or a hospital disposal is part of the picture. A psychologist often reports on risk where no mental illness is in issue.
Do you assess fire-setting risk?
Yes. Our psychiatrists assess motivation, co-morbid mental illness and the risk of further fire-setting, with practical recommendations for the court.
Do you accept legal aid?
Yes. We routinely support legally aided matters and provide itemised quotations and expert CVs for prior authority applications to the Legal Aid Agency.
How long does a report take?
Standard turnaround is 10 to 15 working days after assessment and receipt of records. Urgent and fast-track options (24 to 72 hours) may be available depending on complexity and diary capacity.
Other criminal reports
Diminished responsibility
Section 2 evidence in murder cases, including loss of control.
Hospital and hybrid orders
Sections 37, 41, 38 and 45A, remand to hospital and transfers from prison.
Fitness to plead
Pritchard criteria, trial of the facts and effective participation.
Insanity and mental state
M’Naghten Rules, psychosis, intoxication and automatism.
Parole Board reports
Independent risk reports for parole reviews, recalls and progression.
Sentencing and mitigation
Culpability, mitigation and community orders with treatment.
Modern slavery defence
Section 45 evidence on trauma, vulnerability and relevant characteristics.
Vulnerable defendants
Interviews, confessions, intermediaries and effective participation.
Further reading
Instruct a forensic risk assessment
Send us the case details and we will come back with expert CVs and an itemised quotation.