Capture-recapture analysis of batterer reassaults: an epidemiological innovation for batterer program evaluation

Area of Science:

• Epidemiological research methods
• Social science research evaluation
• Criminal justice program assessment

Background:

• Capture-recapture analysis is a statistical method for estimating population size or incidence rates.
• It is valuable for addressing missing data and reporting inaccuracies in various research fields.
• Its application in evaluating intervention programs, specifically batterer programs, remains less explored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the utility of capture-recapture analysis in evaluating batterer intervention programs.
• To compare capture-recapture estimates with traditional evaluation methods using women's reports and adjusted reports.
• To assess the impact of data quality, such as arrest records, on evaluation outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A capture-recapture analysis was performed on data from a multisite evaluation of batterer programs (n = 853).
• The analysis was applied to different subsamples and outcomes (any reassault, severe reassault).
• Estimates were compared against women's reports and adjusted women's reports (including arrest and men's reports).

Main Results:

• Capture-recapture reassault estimates at 15-month follow-up matched adjusted women's reports (39%) and exceeded women's reports by 7%.
• Subsample estimates varied across individual sites, suggesting influence from unreliable or unavailable arrest records.
• The method demonstrated potential for refining incidence rate estimations in program evaluations.

Conclusions:

• Capture-recapture analysis offers a valuable tool for enhancing the accuracy of batterer program evaluations.
• The method's effectiveness can be influenced by the quality and availability of supplementary data sources like arrest records.
• Further research should explore optimizing capture-recapture applications in social science and criminal justice program assessments.