The Interrater Reliability and Concurrent Validity of the HCR-20 Version 3 in South Korea

Abstract

The HCR-20 Version 3 is a set of structured professional judgment (SPJ) guidelines for conducting general violence risk assessments. We examined the interrater reliability (IRR) and concurrent validity of the HCR-20V3 in Korea. The raters were experienced evaluators who had undergone a specialized training program. Four-member teams of raters independently assessed the risk violence of 80 adult male offenders. We completed an authorized translation of the HCR-20V3 using the information that were collected through interviews and from case histories. IRR was examined by computing intraclass correlation coefficients. Overall, the values that emerged for the presence, relevance, and summary risk ratings were indicative of good to excellent IRR. Concurrent validity was examined by analyzing the correlations between HCR-20 V3 ratings and total scores on the Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality Disorder-Institute Rating Scale, Psychopathy Checklist-Revised, Level of Service Inventory-Revised, and Korean Offender Risk Assessment System-General, which is a risk assessment tool for recidivism developed in South Korea. The resultant values were indicative of good validity. The implications for the use of the HCR-20 V3 in field settings by professionals and agencies both within and outside Korea are discussed.