Risk Assessment

Risk Assessment

Violence Risk Assessment

Violence Risk Assessments are comprehensive forensic evaluations designed to examine an individual’s risk for future violence or aggressive behavior. These assessments may be appropriate in criminal, civil, family, and other legal matters where questions regarding risk are relevant.

As a forensic psychologist, Dr. Pleshchuk evaluates a range of historical, clinical, psychological, and behavioral factors that may contribute to or mitigate the risk of future violence. This may include a review of psychological and psychiatric history, prior violence, criminal and behavioral history, substance use, treatment history, interpersonal functioning, and other relevant information. The assessment may incorporate validated psychological instruments and structured professional judgment approaches, when appropriate to the referral question. Dr. Pleshchuk integrates information from multiple sources, including interviews, records, collateral information, and psychological testing, to develop an evidence-based understanding of the individual’s risk factors and protective factors.

The purpose of a Violence Risk Assessment is not to predict with certainty whether an individual will engage in future violence. Rather, it provides a systematic, scientifically informed evaluation of risk within the specific circumstances of the case. The findings can help attorneys, courts, and other decision-makers understand the nature and significance of identified risk factors and, when appropriate, factors that may be addressed to reduce risk.

Each assessment is tailored to the specific referral question, legal context, and available information.

Risk Assessment for Sexual Offending (PC 288.1)

Comprehensive sexual offenses specific evaluation to determine risk for sexual re-offense examination of mental condition and treatment needs. This evaluation is often ordered by the court and may be used in the sentencing phase of a case. This evaluation will include a clinical interview, review of records, interview with collateral sources when appropriate and the administration of personality intelligence and or risk assessment measures. Treatment recommendations will be provided.

  • All sex offender evaluations or psychosexual evaluations include a detailed risk assessment that includes use of actuarial and dynamic risk instruments as well protective factors. Recidivism rates are not uniform across all sex offenders and most sexual offenders never go on to commit another sexual offense. First time sex offenders are significantly less likely to sexually re-offend than are those with previous sexual convictions. In addition, for those sex offenders who have re-offended, the longer they remain in the community offense-free, the less likely they are to re-offend sexually. Research has shown that cognitive-behavioral treatment for sex offenders is associated with reductions in sexual offense recidivism rates.In cases where the client does not show sexual deviance or any other paraphilic condition, our reports include information arguing against sex offender registration as supported by empirical research. This empirical research shows that sex offender registration and notification laws can impede an offender’s attempts at community reintegration efforts and potentially contribute to an increased likelihood for recidivism (Levenson and Tewksbury, 2009). Growing bodies of research highlight the adverse effects of sex offender registration and notification laws. Specifically, registered sex offenders reported having lost housing and jobs as a result of registration, having been physically threatened or harassed, property damage, economic hardship, and numerous psychosocial consequences, such as depression, feelings of shame, isolation, and guilt (Mercado, Alvarez, and Levenson, 2008).
  • Penal Code 288.1 requires a mental health evaluation for anyone “convicted of committing any lewd or lascivious act” against a child under age 14 before the court can release them on probation. The court cannot release the offender on probation until it has received and reviewed this report and can reasonably determine from the report that the offender no longer poses a danger to children and is unlikely to reoffend.
The PC 288.1 report includes:
  1. the circumstances of the offense
  2. the defendant’s psychosexual history
  3. risk assessment
  4. The emphasis of the evaluation is on whether the conduct is likely to recur, and whether the defendant continues to be a danger to other children.
If the court does order a report, it must be issued by either:
  1. a reputable psychiatrist, or
  2. a reputable licensed psychologist who has:
  • a doctoral degree in psychology, and
  • at least five years of postgraduate experience in the diagnosis and treatment of emotional and mental disorders.
People v. Thompson (1989) 214 Cal.App.3d 1547, Cal. Rptr. 272 notes the following: “It is clear from the language of section 288.1 that a report is not mandated in every lewd or lascivious act case… Only if the trial court is inclined to grant probation must a report be ordered. The obvious intent of the Legislature in enacting this statute was to protect society by requiring a psychiatric or psychological report insuring that defendant is a suitable candidate for probation. Where the court, as in this case, has no intention of granting probation, and the record supports such a denial of probation, a section 288.1 report is not mandated. In other words, if after reviewing all the facts, the pre-sentence report and the statements in mitigation and aggravation, the court does not feel that probation is proper, then there is no duty to request a section 288.1 report.” As such, even if the court does not order a report, an attorney can request a PC 288.1 evaluation. Our Evaluation: Clinical interview with the inmate including comprehensive psychosexual history
  • Early Sexual Experiences
  • Deviant/Unusual Sexual Behaviors & Interests
  • Masturbation/Fantasies
  • Pornography Use
    • Assessment deception, denial, minimization and use of justifications
    • Acceptance of responsibility and accountability for behavior
    • Motivation and amenability for treatment
    • Level of treatment and supervision need
    • Mental status examination on the inmate
    • Review of discovery and legal records including police reports, probation officer reports, abstract of judgment, criminal history (RAP sheet), and felony complaint.
    • Actuarial risk assessment – Static-99R
    • Dynamic risk assessment – Stable-2007 or Violence Risk Scale – Sexual Offense Version (VRS-SO)
    • Assessment of protective and individual risk factors
    • Diagnosis, if any
    • Treatment recommendations
    • Supervision recommendations (Containment Model, polygraphy, phallometric assessment)
    • Written Report
    • Consultation with the attorney
Expert testimony is also provided when requested in PC 288.1 cases.

The patient/client will not receive results, an interpretation of results, diagnostic opinions, or therapeutic recommendations directly. Such information may be included in a report sent to the requesting/paying party (attorney) and must be obtained directly through that party's usual and customary manner.

Forensic evaluations are conducted objectively and independently, regardless of which party retains Dr. Pleshchuk. Dr. Pleshchuk’s role is not to advocate for the defense, prosecution, plaintiff, or respondent, but to provide an impartial professional opinion based on the available information and appropriate psychological methods. Dr. Pleshchuk considers information that may support or challenge the referral question and clearly identifies the basis and limitations of my opinions. The goal is to provide the court and legal professionals with a thorough, balanced, and scientifically grounded assessment.

The records needed will depend on the type and purpose of the forensic evaluation. Relevant materials may include medical and mental health records, school records, employment records, legal and court documents, police reports, treatment records, prior evaluations, and other case-related documentation. Attorneys are encouraged to provide all records relevant to the referral question. Dr. Pleshchuk will review the available information carefully to determine what additional records or collateral information are needed to conduct a thorough, well-supported evaluation.

Dr. Pleshchuk is available to travel when a case requires in-person services, including evaluations, interviews, consultations, depositions, and court appearances. Travel arrangements depend on the location and specific needs of the case. Many services can also be conducted remotely when appropriate.

While Dr. Pleshchuk primarily works throughout Northern California, she can serve clients and legal professionals in all counties throughout California. Depending on the needs of the case, I may provide services remotely, allowing Dr. Pleshchuk to work with clients and attorneys statewide. Dr. Pleshchuk also provides forensic psychological services in New Hampshire.