The Forensic Outpatient Risk Assessment and Evaluation (FORE): Examining Interrater Reliability and Predictive Validity in Dutch Forensic Outpatients

This study evaluates the interrater reliability and predictive validity of a relatively new risk assessment tool designed for use in forensic outpatient populations, the Forensic Outpatient Risk Assessment and Evaluation (FORE). Data were collected from two samples: the first comprising 80 outpatients to assess interrater reliability between therapist–student and student–student rater pairs, and the second consisting of N = 1,268 patients for predictive validity analysis. Interrater reliability was generally good for static factors. The dynamic factors displayed more variability, with intraclass correlation coefficient values ranging from poor to good. The results demonstrated a good predictive validity for general recidivism (area under the curve = .72). The overall calibration was good (expected/observed [E/O] index = .98), although the lower predicted risk levels were overestimated and the higher levels underestimated. The overall findings suggest that FORE is a useful tool for forensic risk assessment, though further research into the psychometric qualities of the FORE is required.