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Professionals

Different professionals use the VERA-2R for risk assessment and risk management decisions.

These professionals may be psychologists and psychiatrists, other specialists in the criminal justice system, forensic social workers, analysts at national security agencies, intelligence services and migration services and professionals in national and local police forces. The VERA-2R can be used for persons who have been accused, arrested or convicted of such criminal offences.

Since 2014, the VERA has been increasingly used by professionals on four continents in a wide range of applications and settings.

The VERA-2R provides more support and defensibility for risk decisions thanks to the scientific method and comprehensive, standardised and measurable individual risk indicators.

Training and Expertise

Professional experts that use the VERA-2R need to have the following expertise:

  • Successful completion of a recognized VERA-2R training program with certification and registration as an authorized VERA-2R user.
  • Analytical expertise; experience in carrying out interviews and/or in undertaking individual assessments.
  • A position at a government agency, security service, international agency or hold professional authorization to conduct risk assessments with individuals who are identified as persons of interest for potential risk in terms of violent extremism.
  • Knowledge of the VERA-2R rating definitions and the ability to use the SPJ method.
  • Knowledge of and being able to explain the strengths and limitations of the VERA-2R application to violent extremists.
  • Knowledge of the pitfalls of judgments made on the basis of intuition and experience.

Training and Expertise

Professional experts that use the VERA-2R need to have the following expertise:

  • Successful completion of a recognized VERA-2R training program with certification and registration as an authorized VERA-2R user.
  • Experience in carrying out interviews and/or in undertaking individual assessments.
  • A position at a government agency, security service, international agency or hold professional authorization to conduct risk assessments with individuals who are identified as persons of interest for potential risk in terms of violent extremism.
  • Knowledge of the VERA-2R rating definitions and the ability to use the SPJ method.
  • Knowledge of the benefits and caveats of the VERA-2R application to violent extremists and being able to explain these limitations and benefits.

Continuous Learning

  • Professionals using VERA-2R must be should remain informed of the research and operational knowledge of violent extremism and terrorism and its accompanying risk characteristics.
  • Professionals should use peer consulting with consensus methods, and intervision and supervision principles.

Responsibilities Professionals

  • Professionals have to ensure that new developments in the VERA method are integrated in their day-to-day practice.
  • Professionals will provide feedback to the authors of the VERA-2R and/or the NIFP and maintain in contact with the authors to address any questions or issues that arise.