Opinion ID: 2320353
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Use of Actuarial Instruments

Text: W.Z. also challenges the use of actuarial instruments developed to assess a sex offender's risk of reoffense by comparing him or her to the risk characteristics of groups of other sex offenders monitored for recidivism. He contends that those predictions of an individual's risk group were not the equivalent of an assessment of his particular risk of reoffense. W.Z.'s argument is the same as that addressed in the companion case, IMO Commitment of R.S., 339 N.J.Super. 507, 511, 773 A. 2d 72 (App.Div.2001), also decided today. Our holding in R.S., permitting the use of such instruments by experts testifying in commitment hearings, requires that we reject W.Z.'s contentions concerning the unreliability of those actuarial instruments. Ibid. Accordingly, W.Z.'s final contention is without merit.