Assessing Sex Offenders

"Substantial numbers of psychologists claim they can accurately identify the recidivism risk of sex offenders. Despite the very limited, peer-reviewed data related to these claims, many psychologists insist the scientific evidence supports their efforts in this regard. This book reviews the scientific evidence relevant to assessing the recidivism risk of sex offenders. Too often, the issues detailed in these chapters have been overlooked and/or misinterpreted. As a result, the likelihood of psychologists misusing and abusing scientific data when assessing sex offenders should not be underestimated. The text identifies numerous instances of such misuse and abuse. Major discussions include: sexually violent person civil commitment statutes, clinical judgement and clinical experience, guided clinical risk assessments, actuarial assessment of recidivism risk, computing classification accuracy, supplementary assessment procedures, adjusted actuarial assessment, diagnostic classification, treating sex offenders, and ethical obligations. Ultimately, this book challenges psychologists to recognize and respond to their scientific responsibilities. When testifying as expert witnesses, ethical obligations prohibit psychologists from misinforming and misleading legal proceedings. These same obligations necessitate that psychologists support their opinions with relevant research data."--BOOK JACKET.