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Abstract: 

A recently conducted comprehensive review and analysis of SVP statutes in the United States determined that although the legal criteria and referral questions may change by jurisdiction the contested issues remain fairly consistent. This article dicusses five of the more common issues, namely misinterpretation of actuarial assessment measures; modification of or inattention to the ultimate referral questions and scope; use of arbitrary or otherwise non-operationalized criteria; over- or misuse of the classification of sadism; and reliance on polygraphs and penile plethysmographs (PPGs) despite their inadmissibility in proceedings.

Keywords: Kansas v. Hendricks, Seling v. Young, and Kansas v. Crane; United States v. Comstock; Karsjens v. Jesson

Affiliations:  1: clinical and forensic psychologist.