Qualification requirements in criminal prognosis

This article deals with the increasing need for professional qualification in risk assessment in recent years arising mainly from the increasing legal obligation to obtain reports on criminal prognosis. It is discussed how the growing demand for expert opinions can be met without compromising quality. The authors outline the role of experts with specialised knowledge in risk assessment in relation to risk assessment references and responsibilities of the various disciplines. Risk assessment expertise is essentially acquired through additional qualifications instead of undergraduate courses. Working out a criminal prognosis depends on the cooperation of different specialist disciplines. Efforts to achieve such cooperation in peer review practice, training and quality management should therefore be intensified.