Static-99R

The Static-99R is a validated 10-item actuarial risk tool that evaluates criminal history, demographics, and victim characteristics to estimate sexual recidivism risk. In criminology, victim characteristics refer to the specific demographic, situational, behavioral, and psychological traits that make an individual more vulnerable to victimization. These factors influence how society perceives victims.

Static-99R classifies adult male sexual offenders into standardized risk categories.

Core Components and Scoring

Evaluated Items

Prior convictions: Measures previous sexual and non-sexual offenses and discrete sentencing dates.

Age: Assesses age at the time of release or assessment.

Relationship status: Looks at sustained, cohabiting heterosexual relationships.

Victim characteristics: Evaluates stranger victims, male victims, and child victims.

Evaluative Categories and the 4-Tier "Level" System

Modern forensic reports translate total scores into four official 2016 risk levels:

Level I (Very Low Risk): Scores of -3 to 1.

Level II (Below Average Risk): Scores of 2 or 3.

Level III (Average Risk): Scores of 4 or 5.

Level IV (Above Average Risk): Scores of 6 or more.

Age-Based Scoring Shift

The 2016 Static-99R update splits results into "Standard" and "Older Offender" (age 60+) for normative groups. This means the instrument incorporates revised age weights, giving a −3 point reduction for individuals aged 60 and older, and distinguishes normative data considerations to better account for lower sexual recidivism rates in advanced age groups.

Key Elements of Static-99R Scoring According to Age Weighting

Ages 18 to 34.9: Score +1 point

Ages 35 to 39.9: Score 0 points

Ages 40 to 59.9: Score −1 point

Ages 60 and Older: Score −3 points

Static-99R
Disclosure

Static-99R Actuarial Risk Assessment: Disclosure

The Static-99R is an empirically actuarial risk-assessment instrument, a tool that measures risk, developed from the original Static-99 by R. Karl Hanson and David Thornton.

The revised instrument was developed by Leslie Helmus, David Thornton, R. Karl Hanson, and Kelly M. Babchishin. These researchers updated the tool to show how a person's age influences risk of reoffending.

The revised 2016 coding rules were authored by Amy Phenix, Yolanda Fernandez, Andrew J. R. Harris, Maaike Helmus, R. Karl Hanson, and David Thornton.

Static-99R uses 10 background facts—like age, victim details, and criminal history—to get a starting estimate of their risk to reoffend such as demographic, relationship, victim, and criminal-history factors.

When interpreted using current normative data, Static-99R shows how likely someone is to reoffend compared to other offenders.

Canada Online Therapy acknowledges the developers and original contributors to the Static-99 as well as the authors of the revised 2016 coding rules published by Public Safety Canada.

Full citations:

Helmus, L., Thornton, D., Hanson, R. K., & Babchishin, K. M. (2011). Assessing the risk of older sex offenders: Developing the Static-99R and Static-2002R (Corrections Research User Report No. 2011-01). Public Safety Canada.

Phenix, A., Fernandez, Y., Harris, A. J. R., Helmus, M., Hanson, R. K., & Thornton, D. (2017). Static-99R coding rules: Revised—2016 (Research Report No. 2017-R012). Public Safety Canada.

The Static-99R is only for adult men with sex offense charges or convictions. It is not intended to determine guilt or innocence, diagnose a mental disorder, measure treatment response, or independently establish present safety or suitability for family reunification.

The Static-99R provides a baseline actuarial estimate and is not a complete stand-alone risk assessment. Dynamic or changeable risk factors, treatment response, current circumstances, collateral information, protective factors, and relevant clinical observations must be considered separately and must not be added to, subtracted from, or used to alter the Static-99R score. This means, Static-99R gives a starting score but is not a complete risk assessment. Other factors—like treatment progress, current life changes, and behavior—must be looked at separately and cannot be used to change the actual score.

Scoring should be completed by an appropriately trained evaluator using the official coding rules, available criminal-history and victim information, and the most current normative and interpretive guidance. Meaning, a trained professional must score this using the official rules, available case records, and the latest update guidelines.

Lee Park, RCT 25-002, MACP, BPsych Hons

Owner, Canada Online Therapy

www.canadaonlinetherapy.com

[email protected]

canadaonlinetherapy.janeapp.com

Call/text: (514) 746 4673

Fax: (800) 808 6629