Unit 1

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of risk assessment in the Canadian criminal justice system?

Answer 1

To evaluate the likelihood that an individual will reoffend, which influences decisions around bail, sentencing, parole, and NCRMD review board determinations.

Question 2

What is the Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R)?

Answer 2

A 20-item tool scored 0–2 per item, used to assess psychopathy. A score of 30+ typically indicates psychopathy. It is a key component in the VRAG.

Question 3

What is the Violence Risk Appraisal Guide (VRAG)?

Answer 3

An actuarial tool developed in Canada that uses 12 items, including the PCL-R, to predict violent recidivism in offenders.

Question 4

What is the HCR-20 and how is it structured?

Answer 4

A structured professional judgment tool with 20 items divided into Historical (10), Clinical (5), and Risk Management (5) domains.

Question 5

How does the HCR-20 differ from the VRAG?

Answer 5

HCR-20 integrates both historical and dynamic factors and uses professional judgment, while VRAG is purely actuarial.

Question 6

What Canadian institution played a major role in the development of the VRAG?

Answer 6

The Oak Ridge Division of the Mental Health Centre in Penetanguishene, Ontario.

Question 7

What ethical concern exists around actuarial tools like the VRAG?

Answer 7

They may penalize individuals based on statistical group membership rather than individual traits.

Question 8

What is psychiatric gating?

Answer 8

The use of civil commitment laws to continue the detention of mentally ill offenders after their sentence ends.

Question 9

What is the significance of Bill C-30 (1992) in Canadian risk assessment practices?

Answer 9

It replaced automatic detention of NCRMD individuals with a requirement to show significant risk to public safety, emphasizing formal risk assessment.

Question 10

What did the R v. Swain decision establish?

Answer 10

That automatic detention of NCRMD individuals was unconstitutional, leading to legislative reforms requiring evidence-based risk assessments.

Question 11

What does an AUC (Area Under the Curve) of 0.70 indicate in risk assessment?

Answer 11

That the tool can correctly distinguish recidivists from non-recidivists 70% of the time.

Question 12

What is the purpose of the START tool?

Answer 12

To assess short-term risk and treatability using 20 dynamic variables seen as both risks and protective factors.

Question 13

What does the acronym SAVRY stand for?

Answer 13

Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth.

Question 14

What role does the PCL-R play in both VRAG and HCR-20 tools?

Answer 14

It serves as a major predictor in both tools and reflects the central role of psychopathy in risk prediction.

Question 15

Why was the Dangerous Behaviour Rating Scheme (DBRS) developed?

Answer 15

To evaluate the risk of violence using 23 items in correctional and forensic psychiatric settings.

Question 16

What is the historical significance of Dr. Kenneth Gray’s contributions?

Answer 16

He introduced early ideas of interdisciplinary cooperation in managing violence in psychiatric hospitals in the 1940s.

Question 17

What is the SORAG?

Answer 17

The Sex Offender Risk Appraisal Guide, an adaptation of the VRAG for sexual offenders.

Question 18

What is the main advantage of Structured Professional Judgement (SPJ) over actuarial tools?

Answer 18

SPJ allows for the integration of dynamic and case-specific factors, improving individualised risk management.

Question 19

What does the EARL-20B assess?

Answer 19

Violence risk in boys under age 12, focusing on early indicators of risk.

Question 20

What is the significance of the HCR-20 Companion Guide (HCR-20CG)?

Answer 20

It supports clinicians in using HCR-20 to guide treatment planning and monitor change over time.

Question 21

According to the GSS 2004, what are common consequences of victimization?

Answer 21

Emotional impacts such as anger, fear, and anxiety; physical injuries; and changes in lifestyle or feelings of safety.

Question 22

What groups reported higher rates of victimization in the GSS 2004?

Answer 22

Young adults (15–24), Indigenous peoples, and individuals with disabilities.

Question 23

What are the two primary sources of crime data in Canada?

Answer 23

Police-reported crime statistics and victimization surveys.

Question 24

What key difference exists between police-reported data and victimization surveys?

Answer 24

Police-reported data only include crimes known to police, while victimization surveys capture both reported and unreported crimes.

Question 25

What is the Crime Severity Index (CSI)?

Answer 25

An index that measures the overall seriousness of crime using weights based on court sentencing data.

Question 26

What does the 2016 Juristat report say about trends in violent crime?

Answer 26

While overall violent crime remained steady, specific violent crimes like sexual offences against children increased.

Question 27

How did youth crime change according to 2016 statistics?

Answer 27

There was a notable increase in attempted murders by adolescents.

Question 28

What role does region play in crime rates in Canada?

Answer 28

Crime rates vary by region, with territories generally having higher rates than provinces.

Question 29

Why is base rate information important in risk assessment?

Answer 29

It allows for comparison of an individual’s risk level to the average occurrence of a crime in the population.

Question 30

What are static risk factors?

Answer 30

Historical and unchangeable characteristics like age at first offence or criminal history.

Question 31

According to Bloom et al., what makes a good risk assessment?

Answer 31

It must be thorough, specific to the risk being assessed, legally grounded, and based on relevant data and structured tools.

Question 32

How should risk assessments guide management plans?

Answer 32

By identifying modifiable risk factors and proposing actionable interventions to reduce risk.

Question 33

What is meant by the 'duty to protect' in psychiatric practice?

Answer 33

Mental health professionals must act to prevent foreseeable harm, including breaching confidentiality if necessary.

Question 34

What did the Law Reform Commission recommend regarding NCRMD individuals?

Answer 34

That verdicts of 'not guilty by reason of insanity' should result in civil hearings, not automatic detention.

Question 35

What was a key finding of Quinsey’s research at Oak Ridge?

Answer 35

Clinicians' predictions of risk were often no more accurate than non-professionals', underscoring the need for structured tools.

Question 36

Why is it problematic to generalize past risk assessments to current cases?

Answer 36

Past evaluations may rely on outdated or irrelevant factors and fail to reflect the current situation or risk context.

Question 37

Why should professionals be cautious about constructing 'dangerousness'?

Answer 37

Because biased or flawed assessments can lead to unjust outcomes, especially if rooted in stereotypes or systemic issues.

Question 38

What is the Dangerous Offender designation?

Answer 38

A legal status in Canada applied to individuals deemed to pose an ongoing threat to public safety due to violent or sexual offences.

Question 39

What is the Long-Term Offender designation?

Answer 39

A designation for offenders requiring extended supervision post-incarceration due to a substantial risk of reoffending.

Question 40

What is a criticism of the VRAG regarding modifiability?

Answer 40

It focuses on static factors and does not provide guidance on how to reduce or manage risk over time.

Question 41

What was one practical result of the R v. Swain case?

Answer 41

It ended automatic detention of NCRMD individuals, requiring individualized risk-based detention decisions.

Question 42

How did Bill C-30 address individual rights?

Answer 42

By requiring a finding of significant risk to public safety before detention, improving Charter compliance.

Question 43

What professional groups use risk assessments in Canada?

Answer 43

Psychiatrists, psychologists, parole boards, corrections officers, and court officials.

Question 44

Why is transparency in risk assessments important?

Answer 44

So that external parties can review and challenge the logic and fairness of the evaluation.

Question 45

What are examples of structured professional judgment tools developed in Canada?

Answer 45

HCR-20, START, SAVRY, EARL-20B, EARL-21G, and the Spousal Assault Risk Assessment (SARA).

Question 46

According to the 2007 Juristat victimization report, how do victims often respond to crime?

Answer 46

With emotional distress, changes in daily activities, or avoiding certain areas.

Question 47

Why do many crimes go unreported according to GSS findings?

Answer 47

Victims may believe the crime was minor, that police can't help, or fear retaliation or shame.

Question 48

How do police-reported statistics and victimization surveys complement each other?

Answer 48

Together, they offer a fuller picture of both reported and unreported crime in society.

Question 49

What is a limitation of AUC scores in risk assessment?

Answer 49

They measure predictive accuracy but do not explain why risk exists or how to manage it.

Question 50

Why is the development of tools like the HCR-20 considered a major contribution?

Answer 50

Because they combine empirical evidence with clinical judgment and offer practical management guidance.

Question 51

What is meant by 'constructing dangerousness'?

Answer 51

The risk that evaluators may unintentionally label someone as dangerous based on bias or faulty methodology.

Question 52

What does a 'structured guide' mean in risk assessment?

Answer 52

A formal checklist of empirically supported risk factors used systematically across cases.

Question 53

What are the five Clinical items in the HCR-20?

Answer 53

Insight, symptoms, impulsivity, response to treatment, and attitudes.

Question 54

What are the five Risk Management items in the HCR-20?

Answer 54

Plans, social support, stress, compliance, and exposure to destabilizers.

Question 55

What is the purpose of the EARL-21G?

Answer 55

To assess early violence risk in girls under age 12.

Question 56

Why is psychopathy considered a 'lead variable' in risk prediction?

Answer 56

Because it strongly correlates with violent recidivism and is central to tools like the VRAG and HCR-20.

Question 57

What does the term 'dynamic risk factors' refer to?

Answer 57

Factors that can change over time, such as attitudes, relationships, or substance use.

Question 58

Why must risk assessments be tailored to the legal context?

Answer 58

Because different legal settings (bail, sentencing, parole) have specific standards for evaluating risk.

Question 59

What is the difference between general violence risk and specialized tools like SORAG?

Answer 59

General tools assess broad risk of violence, while specialized tools target specific types like sexual reoffending.

Question 60

What role did METFORS play in risk assessment development?

Answer 60

It pioneered tools like the DBRS and conducted early research into fitness and dangerousness evaluations.