Sexual assault investigations and the factors that contribute to a suspect's arrest

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
James Markey ◽  
Thomas Scott ◽  
Crystal Daye ◽  
Kevin J. Strom
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Data Abstraction ◽  
Sexual Assaults ◽  
Law Enforcement Agencies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Physical Evidence

PurposeSexual assault investigations present uniquely challenging circumstances to detectives, and a small proportion result in arrest. Improving sexual assault investigations requires expanding the evidence base to improve our understanding of how these investigations unfold and the factors associated with positive case outcomes, including the likelihood that an offender is arrested.Design/methodology/approachThe authors abstracted data on 491 adult sexual assaults investigated by five large and midsized law enforcement agencies to describe the characteristics of sexual assault investigations and to explain the relationships between these characteristics and the likelihood that a suspect is arrested.FindingsOverall, detectives move swiftly to investigate sexual assaults but tend to miss investigative opportunities that increase the likelihood of an arrest, like locating and processing the crime scene or pursuing interviews with key witnesses and leads. Sexual assaults typically lack physical evidence that can be used to identify and lead to an arrest of a suspected offender; when this evidence is present, the case is more likely to result in an arrest. Delayed reporting of the crime to law enforcement decreases the likelihood of a suspect being arrested, but the mechanisms are unclear.Originality/valueFew studies have used a detailed data abstraction process for a large sample of cases from multiple law enforcement agencies to understand sexual assault investigations and their case outcomes. The results can improve practitioners' and researchers' understanding of sexual assault investigations, including those factors that increase the likelihood of a suspect's arrest.

scholarly journals Factors associated with reporting of sexual assault among college and non-college women

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 279-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan Spohn ◽  
Abby Bjornsen ◽  
Emily M. Wright
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
College Women ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Telephone Survey ◽  
Multivariate Analyses ◽  
Sexual Assaults ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine factors impacting college and non-college women reporting sexual assault to police. The goal is to increase knowledge regarding differences in the rates of reporting and reasons for reporting across these two groups. Design/methodology/approach Participants were drawn from a national telephone survey of US women and a sample of US college women. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to determine factors influencing the reporting of sexual assault to police. Findings Non-college women were more likely than college women to report to police. Women who perceived their victimization as rape were much more likely to report to the police and women who had contact with a helping agency were also much more likely to report their assault. Contacting a helping agency is more relevant to non-college women’s reporting to police, while considering the assault a rape is more important for college women. Practical implications The results suggest that significant work is needed to encourage women in college to view sexual assaults as worthy of reporting. Boosting victim awareness and access to services is paramount. Providing education and empowerment to student victims to inform their perceptions about the definition of rape is vital, as women perceiving sexual assault as rape are more likely to report the incident. Originality/value The research significantly adds to the literature indicating differences in rates of reporting and the factors that impact reporting uniquely for college vs non-college women.

scholarly journals Enacting an Improved Response to Sexual Assault: A Criminal Justice Practitioner’s Guide

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia A. Melton
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Violent Crime ◽  
Sexual Assaults ◽  
Law Enforcement Agencies ◽  
Violent Crimes ◽  
Serial Offenders

Sexual assault is a violent crime that traumatizes individual victims and endangers entire communities. Every victim of sexual assault deserves an opportunity for justice and access to the resources they need to recover from this trauma. In addition, many perpetrators of sexual assaults are serial offenders who also commit other violent crimes, including armed robberies, aggravated assaults, burglary, domestic violence, and homicides, against strangers and acquaintances. Criminal justice agencies have the power to create a strategic, sustainable plan for an improved response to sexual assault that aligns with current best practices and national recommendations. In this document, we define an “improved response” as an approach that supports effective investigation and prosecution of sexual assault cases, holds perpetrators accountable, and promotes healing and recovery for victims of sexual assault. This guide will help prosecutor and law enforcement agencies create a process with milestones, goals, and suggested actions, all designed to support a successful and sustainable approach for addressing sexual assault cases. Improving the criminal justice system’s response to sexual assault ultimately improves public safety and promotes trust between criminal justice agencies and the communities they serve.

scholarly journals Anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing threats posed by mobile money

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 158-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Whisker ◽  
Mark Eshwar Lokanan
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Money Laundering ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Global Awareness ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mobile Money ◽  
Terrorist Financing ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Three Stages ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the various characteristics of mobile money transactions and the threats they present to anti-money laundering (AML) and counter terrorist financing regimes. Design/methodology/approach A thorough literature review was conducted on mobile money transactions and the associated money-laundering and terrorist financing threats. Four key themes were identified in relations to the three stages of money laundering and effective law enforcement. Findings The findings indicate that as money laundering and terrorist financing transactions continue to gravitate towards the weaknesses in the financial system, mobile money provides yet another avenue for criminals to exploit. Risk factors associated with anonymity, elusiveness, rapidity and lack of oversights were all integral considerations in building an effective AML regime. The use of cash is considered a higher threat than mobile money prior to implementation of systems and controls. Practical implications This rapidly changing environment of how individuals manage their money during transactions is set to further explode globally, which poses new problems for regulators and governments alike. Unless there is a unified concentration to heighten global awareness, the imposing threat of mobile money is set to increase at a rapid rate if appropriate actions are not taken. Originality/value The findings from this study can be used to gain greater insights on mobile money transactions and raise further awareness of the ever-increasing threat to global financial integrity.

Identification and analysis of major risk factors causing national terrorism

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 225-239
Author(s):  
Andrey Vadimovich Novikov ◽  
Andrey Petrovich Koshkin
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Law Enforcement Officers ◽  
Academic Community ◽  
Security Sector ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Impact

Purpose National terrorism is a comprehensive problem caused by various factors and conditions that give rise to or are capable of giving rise to it. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach The purpose of this study is to identify the main risk factors contributing to the emergence of terrorism, based on an expert survey of the academic community and law enforcement officers who are directly involved in the security sector in the Russian regions. Findings The study identified 72 causes of national terrorism, which were then transformed into a questionnaire. The findings helped identify 18 major risk factors associated with the emergence of terrorism. Originality/value It was concluded that the elimination of these risk factors would generally reduce the impact of more insignificant factors. The results of the study may be useful for countries and national regions exposed to a high level of terrorist activity.

A preliminary study of autism and cybercrime in the context of international law enforcement

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Ledingham ◽  
Richard Mills
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
International Law ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Law Enforcement Agencies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Past ◽  
Preliminary Study ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the association of cybercrime, autistic spectrum conditions and international law enforcement, the past decade having seen a significant growth in reported cybercrimes involving autistic individuals. Design/methodology/approach – Interest in the profile of autism and cybercrime and the pathways whereby such offences are committed is shared by key law-enforcement agencies worldwide. This was explored by literature review and survey. Findings – The authors identified a presence of persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders but no empirical evidence to suggest a prevalence or an over representation of autistic individuals committing cybercrime offences. At present profiling, pathways, and recording is under developed. Research limitations/implications – Paucity of literature on cybercrime and autism. Awareness of autism within law-enforcement agencies and the absence of key diagnostic and other data from the cross-section of agencies surveyed. Practical implications – Improve detection, diversion, profiling, risk and pathways into cybercrime. Social implications – Better prediction of risk of cybercrime and improved responses. Originality/value – Original paper believed to be the first to look at cybercrime and ASD in the context of international law enforcement.

Perspectives of directors of civilian oversight of law enforcement agencies

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 435-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard A. Rosenthal
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Access To Information ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Government Officials ◽  
Law Enforcement Agencies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Past Experiences

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to involve interviews with civilian oversight of law enforcement (COLE) directors from throughout the USA with the purpose of obtaining their perspectives on what it takes to create and sustain successful COLE programs. Design/methodology/approach The project involved 24 semi-structured interviews with experienced COLE directors. The interviews were transcribed and coded and this paper presents these perspectives according to patterns identified during analysis. Findings The research identified themes and patterns in the attitudes of the oversight directors which included numerous conditions necessary for success of an oversight agency. Amongst the most important conditions included agency independence, director job security, the need for professional qualified staff, unfettered access to information, the ability to publicly report on the agency’s work and a willingness on the part of government officials to tolerate criticism of the police. Originality/value This is the first study to identify the challenges and impediments to sustainable COLE mechanisms from the point-of-view of experienced agency directors. The findings can be used by future practitioners to learn from past experiences.

Corruption, impunity and mistrust: moving beyond police gatekeepers for researching gangs

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen Van Damme
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Central America ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
Law Enforcement Agencies ◽  
Police Corruption ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Detention Centers ◽  
Entry Points ◽  
The Right

Purpose This paper aims to discuss the importance of having several entry points into the field, via gatekeepers who do not belong to law enforcement agencies, in contexts where the police cannot be defined as trustworthy. Design/methodology/approach The argumentation of this paper is based on qualitative research on women and gangs in Honduras. An ethnographical methodology was implemented, which included over a year of observations, 65 interviews and two focus groups in gang-controlled communities and detention centers in Central America (with a focus on Honduras), between 2017 and 2020. The paper implements a feminist reflexive approach, focusing on patriarchy, positionality and silence. Findings Collaborating with the police as gatekeepers in gang research needs to be reevaluated. In countries such as Honduras, the police are riddled with corruption and impunity, which eventually leads to mistrust among gang members and other citizens. Hence, it is recommended to approach other, non-law enforcement, gatekeepers, who often stand much closer to the gangs and have a less conflicted or biased position toward them and toward other people living in gang areas. Research limitations/implications A feminist reflexive approach is recommended for researching women and gangs, and thus also for choosing the right gatekeepers in the field, taking into account researchers’ and gatekeepers’ positionality. Originality/value Police corruption in relation to gangs and gang-related crimes often goes unreported and silences people living in gang-controlled areas. This paper exposes these conflicted roles, not only regarding police abuse vis-à-vis gangs and people living in gang areas but also in relation to gang researchers in the field.

Early identification and intervention with individuals at risk of becoming involved in serious and organised crime (SOC)

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mick Hurley ◽  
Laura Jane Boulton
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Organised Crime ◽  
Law Enforcement Agencies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Stage Process ◽  
Organised Crime Groups ◽  
Preventative Interventions

Purpose This paper aims to examine the “engage” pilot project and related processes for identifying individuals vulnerable to becoming involved in serious and organised crime groups (OCGs). Design/methodology/approach In this, a six-stage process developed in the five pilot sites to guide interventions is described. The project identified 18 individuals who have confirmed low level involvement in OCGs based in 5 areas of Greater Manchester by combining risk factors and the connecting of records held by law enforcement agencies. Findings Key risk factors found to be associated with the 18 individuals identified are described in relation to literature and discussed in terms of future intervention possibilities. A brief description of the key findings of the evaluation of the pilot project is also included. Originality/value Together these findings are discussed to explore the challenges of preventative interventions tailored towards young people already involved in criminality and offers recommendations for future programmes in this field.

Money laundering through raw diamonds

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabian Maximilian Johannes Teichmann ◽  
Marie-Christin Falker
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Money Laundering ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Law Enforcement Agencies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Compliance Officers ◽  
German Speaking ◽  
Three Stages ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Combat Money Laundering

Purpose This paper aims to illustrate how illegally obtained funds are laundered through raw diamonds in Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Design/methodology/approach To identify specific money laundering techniques involving raw diamonds, this study used a qualitative content analysis of data collected from 60 semi-standardized interviews with both criminals and prevention experts and a quantitative survey of 200 compliance officers. Findings Raw diamonds are extraordinarily suitable for money laundering in European German-speaking countries. In particular, they may be used in all three stages of the laundering process, namely, placement, layering and integration. Research limitations/implications Because the qualitative findings are based on semi-standardized interviews, their insights are limited to the perspectives of the 60 interviewees. Practical implications Identifying gaps in existing anti-money laundering mechanisms should provide compliance officers, law enforcement agencies and legislators with valuable insights into how criminals operate. Originality/value While prior studies focus on the methods used by organizations to combat money laundering and how to improve anti-money laundering measures, this paper investigates how money launderers operate to avoid detection, thereby illustrating authentic experiences. Its findings provide valuable insights into the minds of money launderers and combines criminal perspective with that of prevention experts.

Embedding employability within higher education for the profession of policing

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 319-328
Author(s):  
Ian Pepper ◽  
Ruth McGrath
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Longitudinal Research ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Educational Provision ◽  
Professional Body ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact of an employability module, the College of Policing Certificate in Knowledge of Policing (CKP), on students’ career aspirations, their confidence and wish to join the police along with the appropriateness of the module. This will inform the implementation of employability as part of the College of Policing-managed Police Education Qualifications Framework (PEQF). Design/methodology/approach A three-year longitudinal research study used mixed methods across four points in time to evaluate the impact on students studying the employability module. Findings The research suggests that the employability-focussed CKP was useful as an introduction to policing, it developed interest in the police and enhanced the confidence of learners applying to join. Lessons learnt from the CKP should be considered during the implementation of the PEQF. Research limitations/implications The ability to generalise findings across different groups is limited as other influences may impact on a learner’s confidence and employability. However, the implications for the PEQF curriculum are worthy of consideration. Practical implications As the police service moves towards standardised higher educational provision and evolution of policing as a profession, lessons can be learnt from the CKP with regards to the future employability of graduates. Originality/value Enhancing the employability evidence base, focussing on policing, the research identified aspects which may impact on graduates completing a degree mapped to the PEQF. The research is therefore of value to higher education and the professional body for policing.

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