Minnesota Sex Offender Screening Tool-Revised (MnSOST-R) Technical Paper: Development, Validation, and Recommended Risk Level Cut Scores

Abstract

This paper describes the development, reliability, and validity of the Minnesota Sex Offender Screening Tool – Revised (MnSOST-R), as well as recommended risk levels and cut scores. Variables from multiple dimensions, both static and dynamic, were reviewed for inclusion in the MnSOST-R. Final items were selected and scored empirically based on clearly defined criteria. The resulting 16 items that comprise the MnSOST-R maximize the positive predictive power of the tool, and perform significantly better than previous versions of the MnSOST. This newest version correlate achieves impressive hit rates with rapists and extrafamilial sex offenders, the population for which the instrument was developed. Very high true positive rates were achieved depending on the selected cut score. Like other researchers, we found the pattern for intrafamilial sex offenders on potential items and the relationship of that pattern to sexual recidivism to be dramatically different from that for other sex offenders, with the exception of intrafamilial sex offenders who essentially raped their related victim(s). The MnSOST-R is currently being used by the Minnesota Department of Corrections as a screening tool for referral for commitment under the state's Sexual Psychopathic Personality and Sexually Dangerous Person laws, and as part of the state’s Community Notification Act.