ABFM Risk Assessment & Mitigation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which actuarial tool is specifically designed to assess sexual recidivism risk in adult males?
- PCL-R
- STATIC-99R (Correct answer)
- HCR-20
- LSI-R
Correct answer: STATIC-99R
The STATIC-99R is an actuarial instrument validated for estimating sexual recidivism risk in adult males based on static historical factors.
Question 2: In forensic risk assessment, 'dynamic risk factors' differ from static factors because they:
- Are based on actuarial tables
- Can change over time and with intervention (Correct answer)
- Are derived from biological markers
- Require structured professional judgment only
Correct answer: Can change over time and with intervention
Dynamic risk factors are modifiable variables such as substance use or antisocial attitudes that can be altered through treatment and intervention.
Question 3: A forensic evaluator using Structured Professional Judgment (SPJ) differs from pure actuarial assessment in that SPJ:
- Relies solely on numeric risk scores
- Integrates clinical judgment with research-based risk factors (Correct answer)
- Excludes consideration of protective factors
- Uses only static historical variables
Correct answer: Integrates clinical judgment with research-based risk factors
SPJ instruments like the HCR-20 guide evaluators to consider specific empirically supported risk factors while allowing clinical judgment to determine final risk level.
Question 4: Which of the following is a recognized protective factor that may mitigate violence risk?
- History of childhood abuse
- Strong prosocial support network (Correct answer)
- Prior inpatient psychiatric hospitalization
- Substance use disorder diagnosis
Correct answer: Strong prosocial support network
A strong prosocial support network is a protective factor that can buffer against violence risk by providing stability and accountability.
Question 5: The 'base rate' is critical in forensic risk assessment because it represents:
- The minimum sentence for a given offense
- The frequency of an outcome in a relevant reference group (Correct answer)
- The accuracy of a specific psychological test
- The legal threshold for commitment
Correct answer: The frequency of an outcome in a relevant reference group
Base rates describe how often a behavior (e.g., violence) occurs in a specified population, which is essential for interpreting an individual's risk level.
Question 6: Which scenario best illustrates 'imminent' versus 'long-term' risk in violence risk assessment?
- A patient threatening a neighbor today vs. a history of arrests over 10 years (Correct answer)
- Static risk factors vs. dynamic risk factors
- Actuarial tools vs. clinical judgment
- Sexual recidivism vs. general recidivism
Correct answer: A patient threatening a neighbor today vs. a history of arrests over 10 years
Imminent risk refers to the likelihood of violence in the near future, while long-term risk addresses the probability of violence over an extended period.
Question 7: In the context of threat assessment, the concept of 'leakage' refers to:
- Unauthorized release of medical records
- Communication of intent to harm before an attack (Correct answer)
- A defendant's disclosure of privileged information
- Data breaches in forensic databases
Correct answer: Communication of intent to harm before an attack
Leakage occurs when an individual intentionally or unintentionally reveals clues about planned violence through communications, writings, or behaviors.
ABFM Risk Assessment & Mitigation 2
Which actuarial tool is specifically designed to assess sexual recidivism risk in adult males?