Which type of risk factor is characterized by traits that cannot change?

The correct answer is static factors because these are characteristics that remain constant and cannot be altered over time. Examples of static factors include an individual's age, criminal history, and certain personal traits. These traits are fixed and do not fluctuate based on circumstances or interventions, which is essential for assessing risk in cases managed by probation officers. Understanding static factors helps professionals recognize the enduring aspects of an individual’s background that contribute to their risk profile.

Dynamic factors, on the other hand, are characteristics that can change and fluctuate, such as a person's behavior, attitudes, and circumstances. These factors are essential for treatment planning and can be addressed through interventions to reduce overall risk. Risk factors and needs factors are broader terms that include both static and dynamic aspects of an individual's situation, but the distinct nature of static factors is that they specifically refer to unchangeable traits.