Crime Scene Behaviors Indicate Risk-Relevant Propensities of Child Molesters. (August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lehmann, Robert J. B.; Goodwill, Alasdair M.; Hanson, R. Karl; Dahle, Klaus-Peter
• Is Part Of: Criminal justice and behavior. Volume 41:Number 8(2014:Aug.)
• Page Start: 1008
• Page End: 1028
• Publication Date: 2014-08
• Subjects: risk assessment -- child molestation -- crime scene analysis -- Static-99; Correctional psychology -- Periodicals; 364.6
• DOI: 10.1177/0093854814521807
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0093-8548

Abstract

The current study used crime scene analysis (CSA) to identify the psychological characteristics of child molesters and examined the contribution of these behavioral themes for sexual offender risk assessment. CSA was conducted on a sample of 424 cases of child sexual abuse in Berlin (Germany) using non-metric Multi-Dimensional Scaling. The analysis revealed the behavioral themes of fixation, regression (sexualization), criminality, and (sexualized) aggression, consistent with previous theories and empirical research in child molestation. The construct validity of the four themes was demonstrated through correlational analyses with known sexual offending measures, ratings of offender motivation, and criminal histories. The themes of fixation and (sexualized) aggression were significant predictors of sexual recidivism and added incrementally to the Static-99 for the prediction of sexual recidivism. The results indicate that crime scene information can inform the assessment of child molesters' risk-relevant propensities and improve the prediction of sexual recidivism.