Alexander Brooks: Four Components of Dangerousness

1
Alexander Brooks Four Components of Dangerousness

• 1.magnitude of harm.
• 2.probability that harm will occur.
• 3.frequency with which the harm will occur
• 4.imminence of the harm.

2
Magnitude of Harm

• Murder , Rape, Serious Bodily Injury
• Simple Assault
• Emotional Harm, Harassment, Stalking, Telephone
  Misuse,
• Offensive Conduct
• Danger to Property

3
Frequency of Harm

• Any overt act
• Exhibitionist (Judge Bazelon Opinion)

4
Probability of Harm

• Recent Overt Act- how recent?
• More Distant Act Recent Nexus Symptoms (voices
  say )
• Threats (how unequivocal)
• Intentions (how serious) Delusions (how
  delusional

5
Imminence

• How imminent
• Time Limit ( w/in day, week, month?)

6
In Re Lineham (Minn. 1994)

• Demographic traits (age education)
• Violent history (recency, severity frequency)
• Base rate for above category of person
• Stressors (internal and environmental)
• Similarity of present context to prior violence
  context
• Effectiveness of therapy