Should the CPORT Be Used for CSAM Risk Assessment?
Overview
Analysis of a meta-study trying to validate the forensic use of the Child Pornography Offender Risk Tool (CPORT) for actuarial CSAM risk assessment.
Summary
Those in the field know the criminal justice system prefers to have an actuarial risk assessment measure to aide in decisions for sentencing, treatment needs, etc.
There are long standing and validated risk assessment measures for contact sexual offenses. However, there are no validated risk assessment measures for non-contact, Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM) offenders.
CPORT and Risk Assessment
The CPORT was created several years ago by Dr. Michael Seto and colleagues. However, this measure is not without its difficulties. The authors note in the manual that it should not be used as a risk assessment measure.
Despite this statement, many evaluators are using the CPORT as a risk assessment tool.
The Study
An article published this year (2023)
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Reference
SOURCE RESEARCH
Risk Assessment of Child-Pornography-Exclusive Offenders
Scurich, N., & Krauss, D.A. (2023). Risk Assessment of Child-Pornography-Exclusive Offenders. Law and Human Behavior, 47(4); 499-509.
Published: 2023
Research type: Meta-Analysis / Validation Study
DOI: 10.1037/lhb0000537
Forensic Services
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