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The Adult Presentence Evaluation (APE) can
be administered to the defendant prior to sentencing. It is designed to provide helpful information to court service personnel, judges,
jail administrators and attorneys. The APE can be administered at any of several stages in the defendant's proceedings, such as prior
to formal charges being filed, before the defendant's initial court appearance, prior to initial services or probable cause hearings,
in advance of pretrial-release decisions, ahead of preliminary/grand jury hearings, at prescreening prior to sentencing and litigation,
after an indictment is issued or before diversion program decisions are made. The Adult Presentence Evaluation (APE) can be administered by
professional evaluators (assessment) staff, court evaluators, probation departments and mental health professionals. The APE can be used in
misdemeanor and felony cases. It can also be given to men and women. The Adult Presentence Evaluation (APE) focuses upon understanding the
defendant's attitudes and behavior.
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APPLICATIONS
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** Adult Presentence Evaluation **
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Assessment of defendants at presentence, before or after conviction.
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Administered for hearing officers, prosecutors, defense attorneys and judges.
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Administered by court service personnel, jail administrators and corrections staff.
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Administered by community services programs and mental health professionals.
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Administered by probation departments and community corrections.
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Evaluation of defendants for diversion program eligibility.
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Drug court adult (male and female) defendant evaluation.
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Seven Scales (Measures)
The seven Adult Presentence Evaluation (APE) scales (measures) include:
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Truthfulness Scale: Measures the truthfulness of
the defendant while completing the APE. The Truthfulness Scale identifies denial, guardedness, problem minimization and attempts to fake
good.
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Resistance Scale: Measures defensiveness, non-compliance and
oppositional behavior. This scale score varies directly with the defendant's attitude, feelings and outlook.
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Violence (Lethality) Scale: Measures a
defendant's probability of injuring, damaging or destroying. This scale is characterized by coercion, use of excessive force and
brutality. This scale identifies dangerous people.
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Stress Coping Abilities Scale: Measures a defendant's ability to cope effectively with stress. Stress
exacerbates mental health and emotional problem-related symptoms.
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Substance Abuse/Dependency Scale: Utilizes DSM-IV
criteria to classify substance (alcohol and other drugs) abuse and dependency. This is a classification, not a measurement, scale.
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Alcohol Scale: Measures the severity of alcohol use
and/or abuse. Alcohol refers to beer, wine and other liquor.
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Drugs Scale: Measures the severity of illicit drug
(marijuana, crack, cocaine, amphetamines, barbiturates and heroin) use and/or abuse.
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The Adult Presentence Evaluation (APE) assesses attitudes and behaviors,
yielding a defendant profile. The APE contains 158 items and takes 35 minutes to complete. APE's are scored on-site, and reports are
printed within 2½ minutes of data entry.
The APE was developed specifically for adult (male and female) presentence evaluation. It is much more than
just another alcohol or drug test. Consequently, it measures important behaviors missed by other tests.
The APE is a test. That can be administered in an objective and standardized manner. And, as a
test, it has demonstrated reliability, validity and accuracy.
Why Use the Adult Presentence Evaluation (APE)?
At the presentence level, it is important to determine the
defendant's problems and needs. Early problem detection facilitates important defendant awareness and, as warranted, quicker
intervention and treatment. This type of information helps in understanding the defendant, their presenting situation (case) and possible
contributing factors. On the other hand, it's equally important to know when the defendant is problem free.
At one sitting of approximately 30 to 35 minutes' duration, the court can acquire a vast amount of
defendant information. As discussed earlier, early problem identification facilitates timely treatment.
Advantages of
Screening
Screening or assessment instruments filter out individuals with problems. This filtering system works as
follows:
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APE RISK RANGES
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Risk
Category
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Risk Range
Percentile
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Total
Percentage
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Low Risk
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0 - 39%
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39%
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Medium Risk
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40 - 69%
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30%
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Problem Risk
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70 - 89%
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20%
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Severe Problem
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90 -100%
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11%
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Reference to the above table shows that a problem is not identified until a
scale score is at the 70th percentile or higher. These risk range percentiles are based upon the suspects/defendants that have
completed the APE. This procedure is fair and avoids extremes, i.e., over-identification and under-identification of
problems.
In the cases represented in the above table, 11% of the people screened (Severe Problem)
might be referred for a more comprehensive psychological evaluation and/or treatment. Or, suspects with problems (Problem Risk and Severe
Problem) could be referred for additional services. In these examples, 89% or 69% (contingent upon the adopted policy) of the people
screened they would not be referred for additional, expensive and unnecessary services.
Savings (dollars) could be large with no compromises in defendants receiving appropriate
evaluation and/or treatment services. Indeed, it is likely that more suspects would receive help. Without a screening program, there is
usually more risk of over or under-utilization of additional professional services.
It is important to establish the defendant's attitudinal, emotional, substance abuse and behavioral
problems so that the court understands the person appearing before it. At the risk of over simplicity, the APE clarifies many of the
defendant's strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes, it helps to review the APE scales (areas of inquiry or measures) from that
perspective. The seven APE scales (measures) include: 1. Truthfulness Scale, 2. Resistance Scale, 3. Violence (Lethality) Scale, 4.
Stress Coping Abilities Scale, 5. Alcohol Scale, 6. Drugs Scale and 7. the Substance Abuse/Dependency Scale.
The Truthfulness Scale determines how truthful the defendant was while completing the APE. The Resistance
Scale indicates how compliant and cooperative the defendant is. The Violence (Lethality) Scale establishes how dangerous the defendant is
to self and others. The Stress Coping Abilities Scale filters out established emotional and mental health problems. The Alcohol Scale
quantifies alcohol use and abuse severity. Similarly, the Drugs Scale measures the severity of illicit drug abuse. And, the Substance
Abuse/Dependency Scale classifies defendants as substance abusers, substance dependent or non-pathological substance users according to
the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV) criteria. Many expert witnesses consider this test to be comprehensive.
Test Booklets
APE test booklets are provided free. These booklets contain 158 items and are written at a 5th
to 6th grade reading level. If a person can read the newspaper, they can read the APE test booklet.
Reports
In brief, Adult Presentence Evaluation (APE) reports summarize the suspect's
self-report history, present empirically based scale scores, explain what attained scale scores mean and offer specific score-related
recommendations. An example APE report is presented at the end of this webpage. You can go directly to this example report by clicking on
this APE Example Report link.
Within 2½ minutes of test data entry, automated (computer-scored) 4-page reports are printed on-site.
These reports summarize a lot of information in an easily understood format. For example, reports include an APE profile (graph), which
summarizes all scale scores at a glance. Also included is an explanation of what each score means and specific
score-related recommendations. In addition, significant items (direct admissions) are highlighted, and answers to a built-in multiple
choice questions (last sequence of items) are presented. Emphasis is placed on having concise yet meaningful reports that are helpful and easily
understood.
Reliability and Validity
The Adult Presentence Evaluation (APE) has a proprietary built-in database that insures inclusion of all
administered tests in a confidential (no names) manner. APE reliability, validity and accuracy are reported in the document titled "APE:
An Inventory of Scientific Findings." Annual database analysis further demonstrates that APE scales have impressively high reliability and
validity coefficients.
For example, coefficient alphas for the Adult Presentence Evaluation (APE) scales are reported in the
following table for defendants tested with the APE.
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APE RELIABILITY (N=1,996,
2002)
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APE Scales
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Coefficient
Alpha
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Significance
Level
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Truthfulness Scale
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.88
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p<.001
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Resistance Scale
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.85
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p<.001
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Violence Scale
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.88
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p<.001
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Alcohol Scale
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.95
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p<.001
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Drugs Scale
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.92
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p<.001
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Stress Coping Abilities Scale
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.92
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p<.001
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Substance Abuse/Dependency Scale
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.94
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p<.001
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All APE scales have alpha coefficients above the professionally accepted
standard of .75 and are highly reliable. And, all coefficient alphas are significant at the p<.001 level.
Early studies used criterion measures, and APE scales were validated with other tests, e.g., Minnesota
Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) L-Scale and F-Scale, 16 PF, MacAndrews, SAQ-Adult Probation III, Defendant Questionnaire, etc.
Much of this research is summarized in the document titled "APE: An Inventory of Scientific Findings." Subsequently, discriminant and
predictive validity database studies further support APE reliability, validity and accuracy.
APE research is presented at the end of this webpage. To go directly to this research,
click on the APE Research Study
link.
Software
The Adult Presentence Evaluation (APE) is available in Windows diskettes.
Windows diskettes require a one-time computer setup procedure after which APE data (25 or 50 test
applications) diskettes are used to score and print reports. Training manuals are provided free, and new test users can be walked through
APE scoring procedures over the telephone.
Proprietary APE diskettes contain 25 or 50 test applications. These 3½" diskettes score,
interpret and print reports on-site. Once an APE account is established, diskettes are mailed to users. Approximately 97% of orders are
filled and mailed back to users the same day. When all test applications on a diskette are used, diskettes are returned to Behavior Data
Systems, Ltd. (BDS) where demographics and test data are downloaded into the APE database for subsequent database analysis.
No personal information, names, social security numbers, etc. are ever downloaded into any
test database.
The proprietary "delete names" program is activated by the test user with a few keystrokes to delete all
respondent names from diskettes before they are returned to Behavior Data Systems. Deleting all client names insures protection of each
respondent's confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA (federal regulation 45 C.F.R. 164.501).
Database
The Adult Presentence Evaluation (APE) system contains a proprietary built-in database. Earlier, it was
noted that all used APE diskettes are returned to Behavior Data Systems, and the test data is downloaded into the expanding APE database.
This database allows ongoing research and testing program summary features that were not possible before. Ongoing research insures quality
control. Annual testing program summaries provide for program self-evaluation. And, these features are provided free.
After downloading test data returned diskettes are destroyed.
Built-in Database
The Adult Presentence Evaluation (APE) permits ongoing research and annual program
summary -- at no additional cost. As discussed earlier, when the 25 or 50 tests on a diskette are used, used diskettes are returned to
Behavior Data Systems and downloaded into the expanding APE database. Advantages of this proprietary database are many and include
database (research) analysis along with annual summary reports.
No personal information, names, social security numbers, etc. are ever downloaded into any
test database.
Tests contained on returned diskettes can be summarized on a state,
department or agency basis -- at no additional cost to users. Annual summary reports provide information that permits testing program
review. An example summary report can be reviewed by clicking on the Annual Summary
Reports link.
After downloading test data returned diskettes are destroyed.
In summary, all returned Adult Presentence Evaluation (APE) diskettes' test data is
centrally filed at Behavior Data Systems' offices in the expanding APE database. This database has many advantages. Database analysis
permits ongoing cost efficient research that includes scale alpha coefficients, ANOVA, frequency distributions, correlations, cross-tab
statistics along with reliability, validity and accuracy determinations. An APE research study can be reviewed by clicking on the
APE Research Study link.
Annual Summary
Reports
Behavior Data Systems can access each of its tests' built-in
databases for statistical analysis and summarization of all tests administered in a year. Annual Summary Reports are prepared for state,
department, agency and even some individual providers -- at no cost to them. These reports are provided as a professional courtesy to
large volume test users. Summary reports include demographics, court-history when relevant, and test statistics (reliability, validity and
accuracy). Has anyone offered to summarize your testing program? Annually? At no additional cost to you? Minimum testing volume for annual
reports is 350 tests. There is no maximum limit. Behavior Data Systems' annual reports range in size from 350 tests to over 55,000 tests
annually. An example Annual Summary Report can be reviewed by clicking on this Annual Summary
Reports link.
Staff Member Input
The Adult Presentence Evaluation (APE) is to be used in conjunction with experienced staff judgment. When
available, court records should be reviewed, as they can contain important information not provided or incorrectly provided by the
respondent. Experienced staff should interview the defendant. For these reasons, the following statement is contained in each APE report:
"Adult Presentence Evaluation results are confidential and are considered working hypotheses. No diagnosis or decision should be based
solely upon these results. These test results are to be used in conjunction with experienced staff judgment and review of available
records."
Why Develop the Adult Presentence Evaluation (APE)?
At the adult presentence stage of court processing, decisions must be made regarding pretrial release,
diversion program options, and formal charges. Adult Presentence Evaluation reports can help prosecutors, judges, attorneys, court staff,
probation officers and mental health professionals better understand the accused's strengths and weaknesses. There are many misdemeanor
and felony cases in which questions are raised concerning status, attitudes, beliefs and behavioral predispositions. The APE provides an
objective and standardized assessment of many important areas of inquiry. An example report can be reviewed by clicking on the
APE Example Report link.
How Do You Identify Problem Minimization?
Sometimes, the accused minimize, exaggerate or distort the truth. Sometimes, this denial is deliberate, yet
many times it's inadvertent. People want to appear in a good light, particularly in a court setting. Yet, in most cases, it is
important to determine whether or not the accused is telling the truth. The Adult Presentence Evaluation (APE) contains a Truthfulness
Scale.
The Truthfulness Scale determines how truthful the accused was while completing the test. This scale identifies denial, problem
minimization and attempts to fake good. And, the APE doesn't stop there.
Error of measurement due to untruthfulness is measured for each APE scale and reported as Truth-Corrected scores. Truth-Corrected scores
are more accurate than raw scores. Many evaluators won't use a test, particularly in court-related settings, that doesn't have
a Truthfulness Scale.
Unique APE Features
Truth-Corrected Scores: Have proven to be very
important for assessment accuracy. This proprietary truth correction process is comparable to the MMPI's K-Scale correction. The Adult
Presentence Evaluation (APE) Truthfulness Scale has been correlated with the other 6 scales. The Truth Correction equation converts raw
scores to Truth-Corrected scores. Truth-Corrected scores are more accurate than raw scores. Raw scores reflect what the defendant wants
you to know. Truth-Corrected scores reveal what the defendant is attempting to hide.
More than just another alcohol or drug test. In
addition to alcohol and drugs, the Adult Presentence Evaluation (APE) assesses other important areas of inquiry like truthfulness, denial
and faking, resistance, emotional/mental health problems, etc. The APE is specifically designed for defendant screening.
Three ways to give the
APE. The Adult Presentence Evaluation (APE) can be administered in three different ways:
1. Paper-pencil test booklet format is the most popular testing
procedure. APE English and Spanish test booklets and answer sheets are available. 2.
Tests can be given directly on the computer screen in either English or Spanish. And, 3. Human voice audio in English or Spanish is available. These three test
administration modes are discussed in the "APE: Orientation and Training Manual." Each test administration mode has advantages and some
limitations. Behavior Data Systems offers these three test modes so test users can select the administration mode that is optimally suited
to their needs.
This test is scheduled to be added to our online testing platform,
www.online-testing.com.
Reading Impaired
Assessment: Reading impaired defendants represent 20+ percent of the defendants tested. This
represents a serious problem to other assessment tests. Behavior Data Systems has developed an alternative for dealing with this problem:
Human Voice Audio.
Human Voice Audio: Presentation of the Adult Presentence Evaluation (APE) is in English and Spanish. Defendants' passive vocabularies are often
greater than their active vocabularies. Hearing items read out loud often helps reduce cultural and communication problems. This
administration mode requires earphones/speakers and simple instructions to orient the defendant to the up-down arrow keys on the computer keyboard.
Human Voice Audio is an alternative approach for screening reading impaired defendants.
Confidentiality: Behavior Data Systems encourages test users to delete
defendant names from diskettes before they are returned to Behavior Data Systems. Once defendant names are deleted, they are gone and
cannot be retrieved. Deleting defendant names does not delete demographics or test data, which is downloaded into the APE database for
subsequent analysis. This proprietary 'name deletion' procedure involves a few keystrokes and insures defendant confidentiality and
compliance with HIPAA (federal regulation 45 C.F.R. 164.501).
Test Data Input Verification: Allows the person that inputs test data
from the answer sheet into the computer to verify the accuracy of their data input. In brief, test data is input twice, and any
inconsistencies between the first and second data entries are highlighted until corrected. When the first and second data entries match or
are the same, the staff person can continue. This proprietary Data Input Verification procedure is optional, yet strongly recommended by
Behavior Data Systems.
Inventory of Scientific Findings: Much of the Adult
Presentence Evaluation (APE) research has been gathered together in a document titled "APE: An Inventory of Scientific Findings." This
document summarizes APE research chronologically -- as the studies were completed. This chronological reporting format was established
largely because of the APE database, which permits annual database analysis of all tests administered.
Orientation and Training Manual: The "APE: Orientation and Training
Manual" (O&T Manual) explains how the Adult Presentence Evaluation (APE) works. It is a must read for staff that will be using the
APE. O&T Manual content includes, but is not limited to, the following: instructions for testing, an explanation of how scores are
derived, a clarification of how court-related information is used, a description of unique APE features and much more.
Staff Training: Behavior Data Systems' staff is available to participate in Adult Presentence Evaluation (APE) training programs conducted by statewide
programs, departments and high volume agencies in the United States. Sometimes, smaller volume providers get together for collective
(multiple providers) on-site training. Behavior Data Systems typically participates in 4-hour or 6-hour APE training sessions. This
training can include hands-on computer scoring, as desired. Behavior Data Systems gives attendees certificates attesting to their APE
training.
Staff training is also provided on Fridays at Behavior Data Systems' Phoenix offices from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30
a.m. or from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. These training sessions are free. To participate, contact Behavior Data Systems at least ten days in
advance. Participation is on a first call, first scheduled basis.
Test Unit Fee
(Cost): Adult Presentence Evaluation (APE) cost information can be reviewed by clicking on the
Test Unit Fee (Cost) link. There is only the one fee or charge, and that is the test unit fee.
Everything else is included at no additional cost. This includes test booklets, answer sheets, training manuals, upgrades, ongoing
database research, annual test program summaries, staff training, and support services. Do not be misled by some test publishers' à
la carte pricing, which involves separate costs for each test administration as well as for each of the test-related items listed above.
Instead of asking for test administration cost, ask for the total cost involved in using a test. Behavior Data Systems' test unit fee is
very competitively priced. And, it is very affordable.
Free Examination
Kit: A 1-test APE demonstration diskette is available on a
30-day cost free basis. The examination kit contains a 1-test demo diskette, Installation CD
(with instructions), test booklet (reusable), 1 answer sheets, an "APE: Orientation and Training
Manual," and some descriptive information. Behavior Data Systems does want the demonstration
diskette and test booklet returned within 30 days of receipt.
Support Services: Behavior
Data Systems provides a full range of support services. These services include e-mail, fax and telephone
availability, provision of test-related information, telephone walk through assistance, staff training and test consultation. Support
services and test-related materials are provided free.
Selecting a Presentence Evaluation Assessment Test for
Adults
If you are selecting a presentence screening tool for adults, the following Comparison Checklist should prove
helpful. It lists important screening test qualities. The "Other" column represents any other test you might want to compare to the
APE.
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TEST COMPARISON CHECKLIST
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COMPARISON CATEGORIES
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APE
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Other
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Designed Specifically for Adult Presentence Evaluation
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Yes
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Test Reliability and Validity Research Provided
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Yes
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Test Completed in 30 to 35 Minutes
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Yes
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Reports within 2½ Minutes On-Site
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Yes
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Truthfulness Scale to Detect Minimization and Faking
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Yes
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Truth-Corrected Scores for Accuracy
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Yes
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Three Test Administration Options
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Yes
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1. Paper-Pencil (English and Spanish)
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Yes
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2. On Computer Screen (English and Spanish)
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Yes
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3. Human Voice Audio (English and Spanish)
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Yes
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Delete Defendant Names (insures confidentiality) Program
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Yes
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HIPAA (federal regulation)
Compliant
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Yes
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Test Data Input Verification (insures accuracy) Program
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Yes
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Available in English and Spanish
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Yes
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Built-in Database at No Additional Cost
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Yes
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Alcohol and Drugs Scales
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Yes
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Resistance Scale
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Yes
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Substance Abuse/Dependency Classification
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Yes
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Stress Coping Abilities Scale
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Yes
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Easily Understood Reports
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Yes
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ASAM Compatible Recommendations
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Yes
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Staff Training (Free)
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Yes
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Examination Kits (Free)
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Yes
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Very Affordable Test Unit Fee
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Yes
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ADULT PRESENTENCE EVALUATION
At the adult presentence level, the court needs information upon which to base its
decisions. The Adult Presentence Evaluation includes seven scales (measures): 1. Truthfulness Scale, 2. Resistance Scale,
3. Violence (Lethality) Scale, 4. Stress Coping Abilities Scale, 5. Alcohol Scale, 6. Drugs Scale and
7. the Substance Abuse/Dependency Scale. The Adult Presentence
Evaluation (APE) helps provide important defendant information at the presentence level of case processing.
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EXAMPLE REPORT
The 4-page Adult Presentence Evaluation (APE) report utilizes a uniform, yet highly individualized report format. Test
data is scored, interpreted and reports are printed within 2½ minutes on-site. An example Adult Presentence Evaluation report
follows.
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