More NCJRS Abstracts, October 5, 2007

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NCJ 219739
Eric Beauregard; D. Kim Rossmo; Jean Proulx
Descriptive Model of the Hunting Process of Serial Sex Offenders: A Rational Choice Perspective
Journal of Family Violence Volume:22 Issue:6 Dated:August 2007 Pages:449 to 463

This analysis of the criminal methods used by serial sex offenders to select their victims tested the principles of the rational choice theory of criminal behavior. The study findings show that serial sex offenders do not use a consistent method in selecting victims. Rather, their hunting for and selection of victims is a dynamic process more influenced by situational factors than the personal characteristics of the offender or prospective victim. The "hunting model" developed from the study findings includes the following factors, the routine activities of offenders and victims prior to the crime; distinguishing between the method of approach to the victim, the method of bringing the victim to the crime site, and the method of committing the crime; and exploring the various locations associated with the crime (encounter, attack, crime, and victim release). Qualitative data were obtained from the descriptions of crimes provided by 69 serial sex offenders incarcerated in Canada. All of the men had committed two or more sexual assaults or sex-related crimes against victims who were strangers. The rational choice perspective provided the main set of theoretical principles that guided the data collection. A specially constructed instrument was developed for collecting information from police investigative reports and for conducting semistructured interviews. The questionnaire contained five sections that guided the collection of information on precrime factors, "hunting" patterns, methods of crime planning and commission, postcrime factors, and behavior related to geography. 2 tables, 2 figures, and 51 references

NCJ 219734
Victoria Frye; Mary Haviland; Valli Rajah
Dual Arrest and Other Unintended Consequences of Mandatory Arrest in New York City: A Brief Report
Journal of Family Violence Volume:22 Issue:6 Dated:August 2007 Pages:397 to 405

This study identified unintended consequences of New York State's statutory requirement that police arrest persons suspected of domestic violence, using data from New York City. The study identified four distinct problems that have stemmed from New York State's mandatory arrest policy for domestic violence cases: "dual arrests" (both parties involved in the violent encounter are arrested); "retaliatory arrests" ( complaining caller falsely accuses a partner who previously caused him/her to be arrested for domestic violence); "unwanted arrest" (victim does not want his/her partner arrested for any number of reasons); and "no arrest" (a case in which an arrest should have been made but was not made). The analysis of each of these consequences of the mandatory arrest policy for domestic violence cases suggests that further training and better supervision is required for responding officers in order to have more effective implementation of the law in terms of protection and remedies for domestic violence victims. Between July 1, 1998, and June 30, 2000, data were obtained from the telephone helpline of the Family Violence Project (FVP) of New York City's Urban Justice Center. The final sample consisted of 183 cases in which the presenting problem involved a police response. Cases were classified according to the arrest outcome indicated by the caller at the first point of contact. This means the cases were classified according to the arrest outcome described in the initial call to the helpline rather than the ultimate outcome of the case once advocacy was begun. 2 tables and 39 references