Risk Assessment

A comprehensive set of flashcards for key concepts and terminology related to risk assessment in criminal behavior, helping to prepare for exams.

What is risk assessment in the context of offenders?

It measures how probable an offender is going to reoffend.

What types of risk assessments exist?

They can be general or specific.

What can risk assessments lead to?

Treatments or rehabilitations.

What does civil commitment allow?

It allows the state to confine someone even if they have not committed a crime.

What criteria must be met for civil commitment under the Mental Health Act?

The individual must be suffering from a severe mental breakdown or present a clear danger to themselves or others.

What are static risk factors?

Risk factors that cannot be changed, such as an individual's family background or past offenses.

What are dynamic risk factors?

Risk factors that fluctuate over time and are subject to change.

What is an acute risk factor?

A risk factor that can change from moment to moment.

What is a dispositional risk factor?

Risk factors that reflect an individual’s traits, tendencies, and styles.

What is the historical significance of clinical judgment in risk assessment?

First generation unguided clinical judgment was based on intuition.

What were the limitations of second generation static actuarial measures?

They were very mechanical with little flexibility.

What does the third generation of risk assessment focus on?

Both static and dynamic factors.

What is a fourth generation risk assessment?

It emphasizes a case management process.

What are LSCMI and PCLR used for?

They are risk assessment tools used in American courts.

What percentage of American courts use risk assessment tools?

88%.

How is psychopathy defined?

Reduced experience of emotions like fear, guilt, and empathy.

What score indicates a psychopath on the PCL-R?

A score over 30.

What characterizes item 1 of the PCL-R?

Glibness/superficial charm.

What is item 3 of the PCL-R associated with?

Need for stimulation and restlessness.

What does item 4 of the PCL-R describe?

Pathological lying.

What trait is described by item 6 of the PCL-R?

Lack of remorse or guilt.

What is a parasitic lifestyle according to item 9 of the PCL-R?

Leeching off others without stable employment.

What are dispositional and contextual risk factors?

Dispositional relates to individual traits, while contextual pertains to the current environment.

What factors are included in the LS/CMI risk assessment model?

Risk, need, and responsivity.

What is the predictive accuracy of the V-RAG tool?

Around 76% accuracy for future violence.

What is Static-99R primarily based upon?

Static risk factors.

What characteristic is measured under the HCR-20 model?

It estimates historical, present, and future risk.

What mental health symptom is often linked to violence?

Dissociation from reality.

What is the misconception about sexual offenders?

That all sex offenders will reoffend.

What demographic of sex offenders has a higher likelihood of recidivism?

Non-married sex offenders and those who victimize strangers.

What trends are observed in young offenders regarding recidivism?

Higher short-term risks but usually desist in their later 20s.

What is a key factor for predicting risk in female offenders?

HCR-20 is most helpful for them.

What is one reason why female offenders may reoffend?

If they have a history of being victimized or abused.

What typical offenses are observed more in female offenders?

Prostitution, theft, fraud, and drug offenses.

What sentences might result from an offender assessed as low risk?

Eligibility for parole and less restrictive conditions.

What impact does cognitive bias have on clinical judgment in risk assessment?

It can lower the accuracy of judgments.