Citation

Kelley SM, Ambroziak G, Thornton D, Barahal RM. Sex. Abuse 2018; ePub(ePub): 1079063218800474.

Affiliation

Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center, Madison, WI, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1079063218800474

PMID

30244649

Abstract

Forensic evaluators may be assisted by comparing their use of instruments with that of their peers. This article reports the results of a 2017 survey of instrument use by forensic evaluators carrying out sexual recidivism risk assessments.

RESULTS are compared with a similar survey carried out in 2013. Analysis focuses primarily on adoption of more recently developed instruments and norms, and on assessment of criminogenic needs and protective factors, and secondarily, on exploring factors related to differences in evaluator practice.

FINDINGS indicate that most evaluators have now adopted modern actuarial instruments, with the Static-99R and Static-2002R being the most commonly used. Assessment of criminogenic needs is now common, with the STABLE-2007 being the most frequently used instrument. Evaluators are also increasingly likely to consider protective factors. While a majority of evaluators uses actuarial instruments, a substantial minority employs Structured Professional Judgment (SPJ) instruments. Few factors discriminated patterns of instrument use.

Language: en

Keywords

criminogenic needs; protective factors; risk assessment; sexual offenders