Ethical and Legal Duties in Conducting Research on Violence: Lessons From the MacArthur Risk Assessment Study

• NCJ Number: 149350
• Journal: Violence and Victims Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Dated: (Winter 1993) Pages: 387-396
• Author(s): J Monahan; P S Appelbaum; E P Mulvey; P C Robbins; C W Lidz
• Date Published: 1993
• Length: 10 pages
• Grant Number(s): MH 49696-01; MH40030-06
• Sponsoring Agency: John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation; National Institute of Mental Health
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article addresses the ethical and legal duties that must be confronted in any study of the risk of interpersonal violence in the community.

Abstract

As an illustration, the article examines the MacArthur Risk Assessment Study, which is researching the markers of violence among released mental patients. Methods by which the researchers are discharging their legal and ethical duties are described and justified. Strategies center around the duty to protect research subjects from their own violence and the duties to protect research staff and third parties from subjects' violence. The discussion focuses on ethical codes and legal duties. Topics addressed in the review of legal duties include suicidal behavior, third- party injury, and research staff injury. A description of specific procedures to protect subjects and third parties focuses on clear consent, a "chain of command," a hierarchy of interventions, and written documentation. A discussion of procedures to protect research employees addresses staff training, case screening, and a secure research environment. 21 references