“Sexual Deviancy: Assessment for Court”
Review Tully (2019) “Sexual Deviancy: Assessment for Court” in the Learning Resources involving a case in which a forensic professional assessed and analyzed and brought findings to court.
View a high-profile case involving a forensic professional where they assessed and analyzed and brought findings to court.
Consider the following questions:
What did the psychologist consider when he chose the specific test instruments?
Why did the psychologist use the following:
Historical-Clinical-Risk management 20v3
Risk Matrix 2000
Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)
Beck Depression Inventory (BDI II)?
Risk for Sexual Violence Protocol (RSVP)
Why is it important that a forensic psychology practitioner, who does not administer test instruments, have an understanding of these test instruments in their work?
Post a response to the following, based on the case study:
Provide a summary of the case.
Explain what role the forensic psychology professional played in selecting the forensic risk assessment instrument used in the case.
Explain characteristics of the assessment that make it effective for this case.
Explain the implications regarding the selection of the assessment instrument and its impact on the outcome of the case.
Sample Solution
Factors considered when choosing test instruments:
- Purpose of the assessment: Is it for risk assessment, diagnosis, or treatment planning?
- Client characteristics: Age, cognitive abilities, cultural background, etc.
- Validity and reliability: Does the instrument have well-established accuracy and consistency?
Full Answer Section
- Standardization: Are there clear instructions and scoring procedures?
- Clinical utility: Is the information helpful for decision-making?
- Legality and ethical considerations: Is the instrument appropriate for the legal context and does it comply with ethical guidelines?
Specific instruments mentioned:
- Historical-Clinical-Risk management 20v3 (HCR-20v3): A structured interview tool for assessing risk of violence, including sexual offending.
- Risk Matrix 2000: A scoring system based on the HCR-20v3 to estimate risk level.
- Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI II): Self-report measures for assessing anxiety and depression, which can be relevant to risk assessment.
- Risk for Sexual Violence Protocol (RSVP): A structured interview tool specifically designed to assess risk of sexual violence.
Why a forensic psychologist should understand these instruments:
- To critically evaluate the findings of other professionals who administer them.
- To communicate effectively with other professionals and legal teams about the assessment results.
- To identify potential limitations of the instruments and suggest alternative approaches.
- To stay up-to-date on the latest developments in forensic assessment tools.
Case study analysis:
Without access to the specific case study, I can't provide a detailed analysis. However, the questions you listed can be used to guide your own analysis, focusing on:
- The nature of the case and the specific risk factors involved.
- The rationale behind the selection of each instrument.
- The strengths and weaknesses of the chosen instruments for this case.
- How the assessment results were interpreted and used in the court proceedings.
- Any potential limitations or biases associated with the instruments and their impact on the outcome.