What is this measuring? Comment on Gatner et al. (2022)

Area of Science:

• Forensic Psychology
• Criminology
• Psychopathology

Background:

• Estimating the economic burden of psychopathic personality disorder (PPD) on the criminal justice system has been challenging.
• Gatner et al. (2022) provided an analysis estimating billions of dollars in crime costs associated with PPD in the US and Canada.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and discuss critical limitations in the methodology and conceptualization used by Gatner et al. (2022) for estimating crime costs related to PPD.
• To advocate for caution in interpreting the findings and their policy implications due to identified analytical issues.

Main Methods:

• Critical commentary and analysis of the conceptualization of psychopathy used in the Gatner et al. study.
• Examination of the assumptions underpinning the crime cost estimation methodology employed by Gatner et al.

Main Results:

• Identified two primary problems: the conceptualization of psychopathy and the assumptions in crime cost estimation.
• Found that questionable assumptions and a diluted focus on the criminal justice context limit the policy relevance of the estimates.

Conclusions:

• The findings by Gatner et al. require cautious interpretation due to methodological and conceptual flaws.
• The study's limitations may perpetuate misconceptions about crime and psychopathic personality disorder, hindering effective policy development.