Challenges for the theory and application of dynamic risk factors

The inclusion of dynamic factors in risk assessment measures used with forensic populations has largely been considered an improvement in both the accuracy and utility of these assessments in informing treatment and sentencing. However, there are important challenges associated with the current approach to the conceptualisation, identification, and use of dynamic factors in risk assessment. Whereas some of these challenges relate to applied settings (such as the use of measures with different offender populations), there are also deeper questions regarding the construct validity of dynamic risk measures and the methodological strategies used to identify them. More emphasis on theoretically-driven research is needed, to identify causal and explanatory relationships between dynamic risk factors and recidivism. We hope that highlighting these challenges can help to build a consensus on a future research agenda for dynamic risk factors

The clinical assessment of treatment change among sexual offenders, and the relationship between change and risk

Meta-analytic findings are clear that treatment can be effective at reducing sexual reoffending. Yet, a significant proportion of those who complete best-practice programs go on to reoffend (~11%). Not all who complete the same treatment therefore derive the same benefit! Given this, how can we know whether an individual has made relevant change in treatment? How can we know how much change they have made? And, if an individual has made change across treatment, does this mean they are less likely to reoffend