Name two risk assessment tools commonly used to assess lethality in domestic violence cases.

• A. The Danger Assessment (DA) and the Spousal Assault Risk Assessment (SARA) or ODARA as appropriate.
• B. The Spousal Assault Risk Assessment (SARA) and ODARA alone.
• C. The Danger Assessment (DA) alone.
• D. A general risk screening tool used in law enforcement.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is using tools that specifically measure lethal risk in domestic violence, combining a victim-focused screen with a perpetrator-focused risk assessment. The Danger Assessment is designed to identify imminent danger indicators a victim can recognize and address in safety planning, such as escalation, threats to kill, access to weapons, and controlling behaviors. It helps flag when danger is high so immediate safety steps can be taken.

Pairing that with a perpetrator-focused instrument provides a fuller risk picture. The Spousal Assault Risk Assessment is a structured tool used to estimate the likelihood of future serious violence by the abuser, incorporating both static and dynamic factors. ODARA serves a similar purpose with a scoring system to predict the risk of future violent acts by the offender. Depending on the case, either SARA or ODARA can be used to assess offender risk.

Using the Danger Assessment alongside a SARA or ODARA approach gives a comprehensive view: the DA guides immediate safety planning for the victim, while SARA or ODARA informs ongoing risk management and decision-making about interventions.