Forensic Tests Two Forensic Psychological

Forensic Tests Two forensic psychological tests The Multiphasic Sex Inventory (MSI) is an objectively quantified self-reported questionnaire consisting of statements about sexual activities, problems and experiences that takes approximately 90 minutes to administrate via paper and pencil (Underwager & Wakefield 2009). It was normed upon a population of adult male sexual offenders and has been used to develop treatment plans for offenders and by parole review boards to assess an offender's risk to the community.

However, it has been controversially administered to sexual abuse suspects who deny being abusive to ascertain the likelihood that someone is an offender. This is problematic because the MSI contains 'masking' questions and assumes that the taker is an offender and may try to cover up some of his deviant thoughts. " The manual accompanying the MSI states '[I]t is important to remember that the MSI is not appropriate for use in the legal pursuit of guilt or innocence.

The alleged offender must acknowledge culpability in order for the inventory to be used'" (Underwager & Wakefield 2009). Another psychological test used upon populations of sex offenders with a broader forensic use is that of the Juvenile Sex Offender Assessment Protocol-II (J-SOAP-II). It is an objectively scored test in that it is quantifiably assessed but it takes the form of a "a checklist whose purpose is to aid in the systematic review of risk factors that have been identified in the professional literature as being associated with sexual and criminal offending.

It is designed to be used with boys in the age range of 12 to 18 who have been adjudicated for sexual offenses, as well as nonadjudicated youths with a history of sexually coercive behavior" (Prentky & Righthand 2003). The construction/validation sample of 96 juvenile sexual offenders ranged in age from 9 to 20, with an average age of 14.

To administrate the exam, the test is not directly administered to the juvenile: instead the trained professional calculates the boy's relative risk factors, based up his past history, such as a history of violence, of being a victim of abuse himself, caregiver consistency, and history and preoccupation with sexuality. The problem with the test is that it to some degree stereotypes the boy and tries to predict the likelihood of negative behavior based upon negative past and family circumstances. However, it can be useful in family court.