Research and analysis

Crime scene and demographic information in identification of sexual homicide

A study aimed to look for discernable patterns and victim and perpetrator characteristics that may serve to delineate sexual homicide.

From:
National Offender Management Service and Ministry of Justice
Published
26 February 2015

Documents

The use of crime scene and demographic information in the identification of sexual homicides

PDF, 77.9 KB, 5 pages

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Details

It is often the case that those convicted of sexual offences find it difficult to discuss their offending and those who have committed a sexual homicide can be particularly reluctant to talk about their criminal behaviour. As a result, forensic practitioners frequently rely on crime scene information to identify any sexual behaviour associated with a homicide.

The study aimed to look for discernable patterns and victim and perpetrator characteristics that may serve to delineate sexual homicide without relying on disclosure from the perpetrators of the crime.

A second aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that the majority of sexual homicide cases can be captured using Ressler, Burgess, and Douglas’s (1988) definition of sexual homicide.

Published 26 February 2015