What To Know About Sex Offender Risk Assessment

By Mattie MacDonald


Sex offender is a title given to those who have been convicted of committing sex crimes. In some instances, this term might also be used for people who have committed less serious offenses, such as urinating in a public space. The definition of a sex crime may vary based on factors such as legal jurisdiction or possibly culture. Usually laws are organized into different sections, such as sexual, traffic and assault. People who have been convicted of these types of crimes are likely to face serious repercussions. A sex offender risk assessment test might be used as a tool to determine the likelihood that a past offender will commit another offense in the future.

There are different professionals who might be tasked with carrying out this assessment. In some cases, this might be the responsibility of probation or parole officers. It might also involve assessment by individuals in the medical field or those working at state hospitals who utilize this instrument to assess offenders.

Basically, the analysis is centered on research that has been done. This involves identifying details about an offender that can be used to predict the likelihood of committing another, usually similar, crime. These assessment factors include, but are not limited to: prior arrests or convictions for these kinds of offenses, violence, type of victim and age of the offender.

It is important to recognize that risk scores are associated with studies conducted on large test groups of offenders. That is, each score is not individually assigned to a person based on their situation. Instead, they are compared to the statistical information in the system which then determines their likelihood of re-offense.

Sex crimes can lead to major problems for victims. There are many different types of offenses, each manifesting in a different way with the victim. In some instances, the targeted group are helpless individuals, including young children. These things are, in part, why determining the likelihood of re-offense is so important to law officials. It can be used as a way to successfully issue repercussions for such actions and closely monitor registered offenders. Generally speaking, these types of crimes are not taken lightly.

These tests, while helpful, are not always 100 percent accurate in their predictions. However, these may be up to 75 percent correct. The level of risk may increase or decrease with time. Typically it decreases over a period of time, especially when the person has not been caught engaging in sexual crimes. But for those who do not stay out of trouble, other violations can increase their risk, even if they are not sexual offenses.

Overall, the practice is designed to prevent this type of violence, which is quite common. The test can be of aid to parole and probation officials who need help in deciding how to handle the offenders. It can be used to help make important decisions, include treatment options and supervision required. These assessments are used in numerous jurisdictions but not every one. The score may be given before an offender is sentence, in treatment or after release.

Registered offenders who have been scored will have this information included on their profile. That is, their score, date of scoring and risk level. This information can be extremely beneficial in reducing the occurrence of sex-related crimes and preventing occurrences. Though not error proof and based on statistical information from large groups, this can be successful at preventing further offenses.




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