forensic history means that a patient/client (with whatever disability - learning, physical or mental health) have a current or historical risk of offending....any type of offence. most likely are verbal or physical aggression, substance misuse, sexual or exploitation of some sort. to anyone - other patients, staff, family or the public. as stated, sometimes this is past behaviour, ongoing (and likely to continue being a risk) or they have been sentenced to be detained in a hospital, or transferred from a prison as that is deemed an unsuitable environment for the patient to remain in. there are several sections of the mental health act (1983) that deal with forensic detention, including section 37, 38 and 41. if you want to know anything further, by all means ask....i have worked with forensic patients for 20 years and have seen an awful lot in my time....from patients clobbering staff or each other, to working with sex offenders. it is a complex area, particularly surrounding risk assessment and management, and if it becomes a significant part of your job, you should be paid a premium to work with such clients. in the nhs, it is often known as a 'forensic weighting' aspect of pay. good luck with your new job x