The Use of Psychopathy in Violence Risk Assessments of Adolescent Females

Abstract

Forensic mental health clinicians frequently are called on to conduct assessments of youths' risk for future violence and offending. The fastest rising demographic group requiring these risk assessments is adolescent girls. This case report illustrates how the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL:YV) can be used in risk assessment, as in the case of a 15-year-old girl. As is illustrated, the benefit of using the PCL:YV in a young offender case should be weighed against the potential detrimental effects on the life of the youth. This case report provides specific recommendations about how to apply the PCL:YV with extreme caution when conducting such risk assessments.