Forensic vigilance in forensic professionals: development, reliability and factor structure of the forensic vigilance estimate

Abstract

Purpose Forensic vigilance is a central competency that forensic professionals need to meet the complex demands of working in forensic settings. Until recently, no instrument for forensic vigilance was available. This study aims to develop a self-assessment tool of forensic vigilance for individuals and teams working in forensic settings, and investigated its psychometric properties. Design/methodology/approach The Forensic Vigilance Estimate (FVE) was presented to 367 forensic psychiatric professionals and 94 non-forensic psychiatric professionals by means of an online survey. Professionals rated themselves on 15 aspects of forensic vigilance. Findings The results indicated that the FVE had good psychometric properties, reflected by a good to excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α of 0.903), a good split-half reliability (0.884) and good test–retest reliability (0.809). The factor structure of the FVE was captured by a one-factor model (RMSEA 0.09, SRMR 0.05, TLI 0.91 and CFI 0.92). Proportion of explained variance was 52%. Forensic professionals scored significantly higher than non-forensic professionals on the FVE (t(459) = 3.848, p = 0.002). Practical implications These results suggest that the FVE may reliably be used for research purposes, e.g. to study the effects of targeted training or intervention or increasing work experience on forensic vigilance or to study which factors influence forensic vigilance. Originality/value This study represents the first attempt to capture forensic vigilance with a measuring instrument.

Relationship between forensic vigilance and personality traits, work experience, burnout symptoms, workplace stress and satisfaction in forensic mental healthcare professionals

“…The forensic vigilance estimate for professionals: The forensic vigilance estimate (FVE) used the 15 items found to be important by Clercx et al (2021) and were converted into self-report items. The FVE (Clercx et al , 2022) consists of 15 items that are scored by the participant on a visual analog scale (Crichton, 2001) and measures forensic vigilance as described by Clercx et al (2021). The scale does not have subscales and ranges from 0 (“not good at all”) to 100 (“very good”).…”

“…In the current sample, the internal consistency measured with Cronbach’s α was 0.903, which is excellent. The FVE is best captured by a one-factor model (RMSEA indicated moderate fit at 0.091 (90% CI[0.081, 0.102]), SRMR indicated excellent fit with 0.05, and the TLI (0.91) and CFI (0.92) indicated good fit (Schermelleh-Engel et al , 2003), with a proportion of explained variance of 52% (Clercx et al , 2022).…”

Differences Between Clients and Professionals of Forensic and Nonforensic Flexible Assertive Community Treatment

“…The FVE (Clercx et al, 2023) consists of 15 items that are scored by the participant on a visual analog scale (Crichton, 2001) from 0 (not good at all) to 100 (very good). Each item lists an aspect of forensic vigilance formulated in an affirmative manner: "I am able to…" or "I know…."…”

“…Forensic vigilance is aimed at anticipation of potentially dangerous or harmful situations. It consists of several aspects such as observation of one's surroundings (physical surroundings and behavior), meaningful interpretation of observed signals, communication with colleagues and the client, and taking action to curb potentially dangerous situations (Clercx et al, 2023). Clercx et al (2021) defined this construct as: Forensic vigilance is anticipating on possible escalation of a situation before it happens by actively observing your surroundings and colleagues, and knowing when an observation requires action.…”

“…(p. 14) Forensic vigilance may be needed for ForFACT staff members, but not as much for non-ForFACT staff members. In a recent study, professionals working in all areas of forensic mental healthcare scored significantly higher on forensic vigilance than professionals working in nonforensic mental healthcare (Clercx et al, 2023). Furthermore, what staff members consider their key areas of care and aim for interventions may differ between ForFACT and non-ForFACT staff members, based on earlier studies showing differences between forensic and nonforensic nurses (Timmons, 2010).…”