NCJ Number
108116
Journal
Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology Volume: 78 Issue: 2 Dated: (Summer 1987) Pages: 309-326
Date Published
1987
Length
18 pages
Annotation
Using information obtained from police investigators' reports of the San Diego Police Department (California), this study identifies some of the salient patterns and characteristics that differentiate forms of stranger rape, distinguish stranger from nonstranger rape, and distinguish serial from nonserial rape.
Abstract
The data consist of all the lone-assailant rapes reported to police between 1971 and 1975 (612 incidents). Strangers dominate the offender groups. The at-large and serial rapists are almost exclusively strangers to their victims. The at-large rapists are not apprehended because they do not commit their assaults in ways that produce tangible information about their identities or make their behaviors predictable. They maintain social distance from their victims by using 'blitz' methods and by not interacting with their victims before the assault. Offenders who commit one rape and are apprehended by police are usually known to the victim or transport the victim relatively long distances that permit the victim to gather information that assists in the offender's apprehension. Although serial rapists are apparently similar to at-large rapists, they are more likely to be apprehended because they tend to commit their offenses in the same geographic area, and some serial offenders prey on acquaintances. Overall, the study suggests that the way a person commits rapes has some influence on whether he is apprehended. 30 references.