Modus Operandi of a Serial Sex Offender
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to investigate the modus operandi of serial sex offenders. The main method of research was criminal profiling based on 50 cases in the Unified State Register of Court Decisions, for which the verdict was passed. A number of indicators were investigated, including the characteristic method of attack, the choice of the victim, the establishment of contact with the victim, and the method of committing the offence. As a result, it was established that criminals can be divided into two characteristic types according to modus operandi: the first type carries out a sudden attack or pursuit of the victim, is characterised by a violent method of attack, and the crime is often accompanied by bodily harm. The psycho-emotional portrait of attackers of this type is characterised by greater impulsivity and spontaneity of actions. The main motivation for committing a crime is to satisfy a sexual urge. Criminals of the second cluster tend to commit planned attacks, mostly indoors, establish contact with the victim, resort to manipulation and threats. They have a less pronounced passion and tend to plan crimes. The dominant motivation can be either sexual or the satisfaction of sadistic tendencies and dominance. This study focuses on the characteristic modus operandi and psychological characteristics of criminals who commit serial sexual offences. The results may be useful for specialists in the field of criminal law, criminology, forensic science, and forensic psychology.
References
Beauregard, E., Chopin, J., Andresen, M. 2023. Modus operandi in sexual assaults of female strangers does not change over time. Sexual Abuse, 35(5), 596-623. https://doi.org/10.1177/10790632221139174
Beauregard, E., Proulx, J., Rossmo, K., Leclerc, B., Allaire, J.F. 2007. Script analysis of the hunting process of serial sex offenders. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 34(8), 1069-1084. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854807300851
Brothers, S.L., Suchy, Y. 2023. Intraindividual variability and executive functioning differences in pedophilic and non-pedophilic child molesters and non-sexual offenders. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 29(s1), 763-764. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1355617723009499
Cooley, B.N. 2022. Desistance from sexual offending or not reoffending? A taxonomy of contact sex offenders. Criminology, Criminal Justice, Law & Society, 23(1), 68-84. https://doi.org/10.54555/ccjls.4234.34105
Deslauriers-Varin, N., Beauregard, E. 2014. Unravelling crime series patterns amongst serial sex offenders: Duration, frequency, and environmental consistency. Journal of Investigative Psychology and Offender Profiling, 11(3), 253-275. https://doi.org/10.1002/jip.1418
Frize, M., Griffith, J., Durham, R., Ranson, C. 2020. An evidence-based model of treatment for people with cognitive disability who have committed sexually abusive behavior. In: The Wiley Handbook of What Works with Sexual Offenders: Contemporary Perspectives in Theory, Assessment, Treatment, and Prevention (pp. 327-352). Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119439325.ch19
Heiler, G., Pham, T., Korbel, J., Wachs, J., Thurner, S. 2023. A large-scale empirical investigation of specialization in criminal career. Scientific Reports, 13, 17160. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-43552-6
Kipane, A. 2018. Criminological characteristics of sexual violence. SHS Web of Conferences, 51, 01010. https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/20185101010
Larionova, A.V., Shelkoshveev, I.V. 2020. Sexual offences against the sexual freedom and inviolability of children: A socio-psychological portrait of a paedophile offender. In: Abstracts of IV International Scientific and Practical Conference “World Science: Problems, Prospects and Innovations” (pp. 461-466). Toronto: Perfect Publishing. https://sci-conf.com.ua/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/WORLD-SCIENCE-PROBLEMS-PROSPECTS-AND-INNOVATIONS-23-25.12.2020.pdf
Orlovskyi, B.M. 2020. The determinants of violent sexual crimes in the criminological science. Law and Society, 2(Part 3), 44-50. https://doi.org/10.32842/2078-3736/2020.2-3.7
Ramirez, M.P., Framis, A.G.S., Gonzalez-Alvarez, J.L., Castro, J.E.S. 2022. Predicting serial stranger rapists: Developing a statistical model from crime scene behaviors. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 37(19-20), NP18888-NP18907. https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605211044968
Ramsoomar, L., Gibbs, A., Chirwa, E.D. Machisa, M.T., Alangea, D.O., Addo-Lartey, A.A., Dunkle, K., Jewkes, R. 2023. Pooled analysis of the association between mental health and violence against women: Evidence from five settings in the Global South. BMJ Open, 13, e063730. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-063730
Robert, L., Spaan, P., Blokland, A.A.J., Maes, E., Pauwels, L.J.R., Blom, M., Wartna, B.S.J. 2023. Criminal careers of individuals convicted for a sexual offence: An international comparison. Journal of Developmental and Life-Course Criminology, 9, 1-34. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40865-023-00225-2
Rossmo, D.K. 1999. Geographic profiling. New York: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780367802011
Schlesinger, L.B., Kassen, M., Mesa, V.B., Pinizzotto, A.J. 2010. Ritual and signature in serial sexual homicide. The Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, 38(2), 239-246. https://jaapl.org/content/38/2/239
Shalhunova, S.A. 2012. The personality of a violent offender. Dnipro: Dnipropetrovsk State University of Internal Affairs. http://surl.li/rciuk
Stockman, D., Haney, L., Uzieblo, K., Littleton, H., Keygnaert, I., Lemmens, G., Verhofstadt, L. 2023. An ecological approach to understanding the impact of sexual violence: A systematic meta-review. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1032408. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1032408
Tymoshenko, V.I., Shakun, V.I. 2021. Theoretical foundations of criminology. Kyiv: Yurincom Inter. http://surl.li/rcimz
Unified State Register of Court Decisions. 2024. https://reyestr.court.gov.ua/
World Health Organization. 2023. Preventing and responding to sexual misconduct WHO’s three-year strategy 2023-2025 – Accountability framework. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-DGO-PRS-2023.2
Yakymova, S.V. 2014. The concept and criminological characteristics of “sex crimes”. Bulletin of Lviv Polytechnic National University. Series “Law Sciences”, 807, 159-165. https://ena.lpnu.ua/handle/ntb/26755
Yurchenko, R.A. 2020. On certain aspects of criminological characteristics of violent sexual crimes. Scientific Bulletin of Uzhhorod National University. Series: Law, 62, 310-314. https://visnyk-juris-uzhnu.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/55.pdf
Zappalà, A., Haginoya, S., Santtila, P. 2023. One and a half centuries of serial homicide in Italy: Offender, victim and offence characteristics. Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, 30(4), 423-446. https://doi.org/10.1080/13218719.2022.2040396
