Ch10.2

Question 1

What is Unstructured Clinical Judgment in risk assessment?

Answer 1

Characterized by professional discretion and lack of guidelines

This approach is subjective, has high variability, and does not follow specific rules or risk factors.

Question 2

How does Actuarial/Mechanical Prediction differ from Unstructured Clinical Judgment?

Answer 2

Risk factors are selected and combined using empirical or statistical associations

It is based on studies and is generally more accurate than unstructured judgment.

Question 3

What are the limitations of Actuarial/Mechanical Prediction?

Answer 3

Includes only static risk factors and cannot update risk based on behavioral change

Does not provide information relevant for interventions.

Question 4

Define Structured Professional Judgment.

Answer 4

Guided by predetermined risk factors derived from research, accuracy still unclear

Judgment of risk level is based on professional judgment.

Question 5

What are the components used across risk-assessment approaches?

Answer 5

• Identify risk factors
• Measure risk factors
• Combine scores of risk factors
• Produce risk estimate

These components vary across unstructured clinical judgment, actuarial, and structured professional judgment.

Question 6

What are Static Risk Factors?

Answer 6

Factors that cannot be changed, such as age of first arrest

Also referred to as historical risk factors.

Question 7

What are Dynamic Risk Factors?

Answer 7

Fluctuate over time and can be changed, such as attitudes

Also known as criminogenic needs.

Question 8

What are the two types of Dynamic Risk Factors?

Answer 8

• Acute – change rapidly (e.g., negative mood)
• Stable – change over long periods (e.g., impulse control)

Factors can vary in how much they are subject to change.

Question 9

What is a significant issue in current risk assessment research?

Answer 9

Most research has focused on attempting to predict violence

More attention is needed on why risk factors are linked to violence.

Question 10

How do gender differences manifest in criminality?

Answer 10

• Women engage in less crime (~25%)
• Women arrested for different crimes
• Higher rates of conditional release for women

Childhood victimization and mental disorders are more prevalent in female offenders.

Question 11

What are gender-specific risk factors for female offenders?

Answer 11

• History of self-injury
• Self-esteem problems

The LSI-R has predictive validity for reoffending in female offenders.

Question 12

What percentage of sentenced women are Indigenous?

Answer 12

37%

Indigenous offenders show different predictive factors for recidivism.

Question 13

What are protective factors in the context of risk assessment?

Answer 13

• Prosocial involvement
• Positive social orientation
• Strong social supports
• Strong attachments
• Intelligence
• Employment stability

These factors help mitigate the likelihood of antisocial acts or violence.

Question 14

What is a key issue with actuarial instruments in risk assessment?

Answer 14

They only provide probability statements about group data

Evaluators may not agree on categorization of risk levels.

Question 15

What is desistance from crime?

Answer 15

Process of ceasing to engage in criminal behavior

There is little research on why offenders stop committing crime.

Question 16

What factors are related to desistance from crime?

Answer 16

• Age (maturation process)
• Employment
• Marital relationships

These factors play a role in an individual’s decision to stop offending.