NCJ Number
208716
Journal
Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health Volume: 14 Issue: 4 Dated: 2004 Pages: 263-279
Date Published
2004
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This study evaluated the dimensional structure of a 47-item dynamic risk assessment checklist and probed whether its items were associated with a clinical judgment of risk of reoffending.
Abstract
Forensic psychiatrists employ treatment to reduce the risk of reoffending. For the most part, assessment measures have relied on fixed historical data pertaining to the offender and the offense when evaluating risk of reoffending. The current study evaluated the dimensional structure of the Clinical Inventory of Dynamic Reoffending Risk Indicators (CIDRRI) in an effort to determine whether the instrument is an adequate operationalization of the underpinnings of clinical risk assessment. Data from four prior evaluations of the reliability and validity of the CIDRRI were merged. The resulting dataset of 370 cases was analyzed using principal axis factor analysis, with orthogonal rotation. Results indicated that the dimensions of the CIDRRI and some of the individual scale items were associated with a separate, direct clinical judgment of risk of reoffending. Best fit depended on treatment stage of offender: offenders in the community fit best with a five-actor model in which compliance and goal attainment factors merged, whereas offenders in residential treatment fit best with a six-factor model emphasizing responsibility, self-reliance, antisocial/narcissistic traits, treatment compliance, goal attainment, and avoidance. The findings thus suggest that the CIDRRI is an appropriate instrument for clinical use in the identification of dynamic risk factors for reoffending. Further evaluation of the CIDRRI is necessary to establish its validity. Tables, references, appendix