Violent extremism as an area of risk assessment is less than two decades old (Pressman, 2009; Borum et al, 2023; Logan & Gill, 2023). Academic consensus today is that individuals who are motivated to contribute to violence to achieve specific ideological, religious, political or other ideas, differ significantly in risk factors from individuals who engage in general criminal violence (Pressman, 2009; Monahan, 2012; Pressman and Flockton, 2012; Sarma, 2017). Academic research has made clear that risk assessment for violent extremism requires specific knowledge and entails challenges that need to be taken into account by professionals and academics. An evidence-based understanding of distinct risk increasing and risk mitigating indicators is essential.
The evidence-base from the first version of the VERA has been enhanced with the additions that were made in the revision of the VERA-2R. These additions have proven to be comprehensive for different age groups and genders and are consistent with the current state of scientific and professional knowledge related to violent extremism and terrorism for youth and adults (Pressman, 2009; Beardsley & Beech, 2012; Pressman et al, 2018; Kenyon, 2024; Barracosa, 2025; Cherney & Mulholland, 2025).