The R-CRAS and insanity evaluations: A re-examination of construct validity

Insanity evaluations are characterized by continued professional debate and the paucity of empirical research. To address the latter, the construct va lidity of the Rogers Criminal Responsibility Assessment Scales (R-CRAS; Rog ers, 1984) was examined via an extensive re-analysis of 413 insanity cases. A series of six separate discriminant analyses was examined to address maj or components of insanity evaluations. These analyses yielded highly discri minating patterns (M hit rates of 94.3%) and accounted for substantial prop ortion of the variance (M = 63.7%). In general, predicted relationships bet ween individual variables and the discriminant functions were supported. We also addressed the usefulness of the R-CRAS additional variables for the a ssessment of insanity. We found that these variables contributed substantia lly to the determination of criminal responsibility. Finally, we pose impor tant and polemical issues for forensic experts conducting evaluations of cr iminal responsibility. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.