Phallometric testing with sexual offenders: Limits to its value

In many settings phallometric evaluations of sexual arousal are routinely c onducted with sexual offenders and these evaluation procedures also serve a s research instruments. There are, however, problems with the psychometric bases of these assessments, and studies reporting their use have so many id iosyncratic features that comparisons are of dubious value. Evidence concer ning the reliability and criterion validity of phallometric testing leaves a lot to be desired, although the research has suggested an important but l imited value in predicting subsequent recidivism. Suggestions are made for further research and for the clinical use of phallometric assessments withi n more comprehensive evaluations of sexual offenders. (C) 2000 Elsevier Sci ence Ltd.