NCJ Number
183048
Date Published
March 2000
Length
34 pages
Annotation
This Bulletin aims to provide further insight into the frequency and nature of home invasion incidents in South Australia through the detailed analysis of the incidents identified as "probable" home invasions in the August 1999 Bulletin.
Abstract
For this current Bulletin, Police Incident Reports relating to armed/unarmed robbery in a dwelling reported during 1998 were extracted and analyzed. The "narratives" or description of the events included in each report were examined in detail. A profile of a typical "home invasion" incident was developed by identifying the common characteristics of incidents frequently described as a "home invasion" by police, victims, and the media. Five indicators were identified: relationship between the victim and offender, type of entry, confrontation with occupants, motive, and location. Each of the 132 discrete incidents of "robbery in a dwelling" recorded in 1998 were assessed against the indicators identified in the profile. Classification of the incidents proved to be problematic, such that it was not possible to determine, in all cases, whether or not a "home invasion" was involved. Based on the profile developed, the study concluded that 100 of the 132 incidents examined were "likely" home invasions. These included 42 "classic" home invasion incidents, 23 "assumed" incidents, and 35 "ambiguous" incidents. There were 32 incidents that did not fit the profile and were therefore considered to be offenses other than home invasion. 11 tables and 3 figures