NCJ Number
227897
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 53 Issue: 4 Dated: August 2009 Pages: 482-490
Date Published
August 2009
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This study evaluated the discriminant validity and calibration of the Static-99 (a risk assessment instrument) among sex offenders in Switzerland.
Abstract
Results of the study indicate that the Static-99 risk levels were predictive for recidivism among the examined population. The study yielded a satisfactory AUC (area under the curve) of .758 indicating that the Static-99 was suitable for predicting sexual recidivism among sex offenders. Risk assessment, specifically of the recidivism of offenders is a key aspect of forensic psychiatry. Actuarial instruments for the prognosis of recidivism of sex offenders include the Static-99 developed by Hanson and Thornton in 1999. There is strong empirical evidence for the discriminant validity of the Static-99 in predicting sexual recidivism among sex offenders. This study evaluated the predictive accuracy of the Static-99 among sex offenders in Switzerland. The Static-99 scores of 69 violent/sex offenders in Switzerland were assessed using data from their psychiatric assessments. Table and references