Connecting the dots: Forensic vigilance as a core competency of forensic mental healthcare professionals

Abstract

Forensic care treats patients with mental disorders who have committed a serious crime. Professionals working in this sector play a unique role. They are healthcare providers, and yet they are also responsible for safety. In the Netherlands, the term ‘forensic acuity’ is used to refer to a certain skill required of forensic mental health professionals. This term is used often, for instance in job descriptions and training programmes, while it is also common in incident reports. The research report drafted in response to the Michael P. case, for instance, stated that the professionals did not display sufficient ‘forensic acuity’.

Despite the presumed importance and widespread use of this term, its meaning has not always been clear. This PhD research establishes a definition for the term on a scientific basis, as well as the professional qualities that it entails. The research also presents a model of what forensic acuity looks like in practice. From the research, it appears that forensic acuity is a very important competence for forensic professionals. This PhD research forms a first step in research on forensic acuity and offers tools that forensic institutions can use, for instance in supervision, peer consultation and training sessions.