HCR-20
Also written as: HCR-20 — Historical Clinical Risk Management-20
Structured violence risk assessment tool evaluating historical, clinical, and risk management factors.
Full Definition
A widely-used structured professional judgment instrument for assessing risk of future violence. The HCR-20 evaluates 20 risk factors across three domains: Historical factors (H1-H10, including previous violence, early maladjustment, substance use problems), Clinical factors (C1-C5, including lack of insight, negative attitudes, active symptoms of mental illness), and Risk Management factors (R1-R5, including feasibility of plans, exposure to destabilizers, lack of personal support). Rather than generating a numerical score, the HCR-20 guides clinical judgment about low, moderate, or high risk levels. The instrument emphasizes the dynamic nature of risk and the importance of ongoing assessment and management strategies.
Usage
Usage note: Always include the hyphen between HCR and 20. Note it's 'Clinical' not 'Current' in the full form.
In Context
- "The HCR-20 assessment identified several dynamic risk factors that required immediate attention." — Risk assessment report
- "Training in HCR-20 administration is essential for forensic mental health professionals." — Professional development manual