Introduction

his introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of the book. This book presents several consistent participatory observations made in criminal courts within the Netherlands. It aims at providing decision makers within sentencing (including execution) an overview of the contemplations and discussions related to the quality of forensic assessment in general, and to several specific psycholegal factors such as mental disorder, criminal responsibility and risk, which would be good to take notice of in making a legal decision possibly based upon such assessment. As forensic assessment is intended to improve the quality of the decision at hand, the question may rise how difference of opinion is, or may be dealt with, in practice by the decision-making body. The book focuses on what legal or policy requirements are in place for forensic assessment, as well as what ethical or disciplinary requirements exist regarding these evaluations