Violent Extremism

A handbook of risk assessment and management

Caroline Logan (Editor), Randy Borum (Editor), Paul Gill (Editor)

Open Access PDF

Violent extremism has galvanized public fear and attention. Driven by their concerns, the public has pushed for law enforcement and mental health systems to prevent attacks rather than just respond to them after they occur. The prevention process requires guidance for practitioners and policymakers on how best to identify people who may be at risk, to understand and assess the nature and function of the harm they may cause, and to manage them to mitigate or prevent harm. Violent Extremism provides such guidance.

Over 10 chapters, prepared by leading experts, this handbook illuminates the nature of violent extremism and the evolution of prevention-driven practice. Authors draw on the literature and their experience to explain which factors might increase (risk factors) or decrease (protective factors) risk, how those factors might operate, and how practitioners can prepare risk formulations and scenario plans that inform risk management strategies to prevent violent extremist harm.

Each chapter is crafted to support thoughtful, evidence-based practice that is transparent, accountable and ultimately defensible. Written for an international audience, the volume will be of interest to law enforcement and mental health professionals, criminal justice and security personnel, as well as criminologists, policymakers and researchers.

Praise for Violent Extremism
‘In Violent Extremism, Logan, Borum and Gill have assembled the most celebrated scholars and practitioners in anticipating and mitigating violence. This extraordinary accomplishment could transform the future of risk assessment.’
John Monahan, University of Virginia

‘Scholarly, scientific and so very practical, this is the book we have been waiting for. It should be read, and re-read, by every practitioner and researcher working on violent extremism.’
John Horgan, Georgia State University

‘Since the early 2000s, the field of assessing violent extremism risk has developed apace. This landmark text authoritatively takes stock of past and current theory, research and practice, and provides a coherent vision for the future.’
Christopher Dean, Cardiff Metropolitan University

‘In this important volume, the editors have assembled a team of practitioners and academic experts on [countering violent extremism], which includes their work and presents the latest diagnostic frameworks and methodologies’
Perspectives on Terrorism

List of figures and tables
List of abbreviations
List of contributors
Acknowledgements

Introduction
Randy Borum, Caroline Logan and Paul Gill

1 Assessing violent extremism: Reflections on the historical context
Robert A. Fein

2 Violent extremism: theories of cause and development across the extremist spectrum and their relevance to risk assessment and management
Paul Gill and Bettina Rottweiler

3 Mapping the terrain: the current state of risk and threat assessment practice in the violent extremism field
Randy Borum

4 Risk communication and risk assessment guidance for violent extremism involvement
Randy Borum

5 Violence risk/threat assessment and management of extremist violence: the structured professional judgement approach
Stephen D. Hart and Lee M. Vargen

6 From behaviours to people: formulation-based risk management in violent extremism
Caroline Logan

7 Risk for violent radicalization: do primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention programmes effectively address risk and protective factors?
Ghayda Hassan, Sébastien Brouillette-Alarie and Sarah Ousman

8 Multiagency strategies to prevent violent extremism: implementation and evaluation
Michele T. Pathé and Frank R. Farnham

9 Ethical and legal issues in violent extremism risk and threat assessment and management
Ron Schouten

10 Risk assessment and management in violent extremism: key points and recommendations
Caroline Logan, Randy Borum and Paul Gill

Index

DOI: 10.14324/111.9781800081970

Number of illustrations: 2

Publication date: 02 November 2023

PDF ISBN: 9781800081970

EPUB ISBN: 9781800082007

Hardback ISBN: 9781800081994

Paperback ISBN: 9781800081987

Caroline Logan (Editor)

Caroline Logan is Lead Consultant Forensic Clinical Psychologist in Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Manchester in England.

Randy Borum (Editor)

Randy Borum is Director of the School of Information (iSchool) and Director of Intelligence and National Security Studies at the University of South Florida.

Paul Gill (Editor)

Paul Gill is Professor of Security and Crime Science at UCL.

‘In this important volume, the editors have assembled a team of practitioners and academic experts on [countering violent extremism], which includes their work and presents the latest diagnostic frameworks and methodologies’
Perspectives on Terrorism

‘In Violent Extremism, Logan, Borum and Gill have assembled the most celebrated scholars and practitioners in anticipating and mitigating violence. This extraordinary accomplishment could transform the future of risk assessment.’

John Monahan, University of Virginia

‘Scholarly, scientific and so very practical, this is the book we have been waiting for. It should be read, and re-read, by every practitioner and researcher working on violent extremism.’

John Horgan, Georgia State University

‘Since the early 2000s, the field of assessing violent extremism risk has developed apace. This landmark text authoritatively takes stock of past and current theory, research and practice, and provides a coherent vision for the future.’

Christopher Dean, Cardiff Metropolitan University