Forensic Utility of Psychological Assessment in Sexually Violent Predator Civil Commitment Proceedings

Abstract

This chapter positions current forensic assessment approaches in civil commitment proceedings where the person's status as a sexually violent predator (SVP) is before the finder of fact. SVP proceedings relate to the post-incarceration petition by the prosecution for the involuntary and indeterminate placement of a person who may qualify for such a commitment due to a history of sexually harmful behavior, a behavioral health or mental health disorder, and some level of risk for future acts of sexually harmful behavior if not subject to some manner of supervision and treatment. Although actuarial risk assessment has developed greatly from its early stages, not all information with regard to a person’s risk for sexual recidivism can be identified through this process. As described in this chapter, evaluators who follow a structured professional judgment approach will be able to provide a thorough and balanced assessment of a person’s risk and eligibility for civil commitment under SVP laws with management recommendations that are responsive to the evaluatee’s risks, needs, and responsivity considerations in the context of community safety. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)