NCJ Number
44520
Date Published
1976
Length
8 pages
Annotation
SADOMASOCHISTIC SEXUAL PRACTICES AND THE PROBLEMS THEY PRESENT IN THE INVESTIGATION OF CRIMES ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
MASOCHISTIC BEHAVIOR, ACTS PERFORMED BY ONE PERSON DIRECTED AGAINST HIMSELF OR HERSELF, AND VARIOUS DEVICES USED IN SELF-BONDAGE AND DISCIPLINE ARE DESCRIBED, ALONG WITH THE TYPICAL SENSATIONS WHICH A MASOCHIST HOPES TO ACHIEVE. THE DANGERS INVOLVED IN THE USE OF CERTAIN DEVICES SUCH AS DISCIPLINE HELMETS AND GAGS ARE EMPHASIZED. SOME SUCH DEVICES MUST BE USED WITH THE HELP OF A SECOND PERSON. IF THE MASOCHIST DIES WHILE USING THIS DEVICE, THE QUESTION ARISES WHETHER A CRIME HAS BEEN COMMITTED. ALTHOUGH THE DEATH USUALLY DOES NOT INVOLVE PREMEDITATION, SOMEONE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HAVING ALLOWED THE VICTIM TO DIE. THERE ARE TWO SCHOOLS OF BONDAGE -- EITHER THE MASOCHIST IS BOUND AND THEN LEFT ALONE TO FANTASIZE, OR HE/SHE IS BOUND AND THEN PAIN IS INFLICTED BY A SECOND PERSON. THE IMPORTANCE OF FANTASY AND HELPLESSNESS ARE EMPHASIZED. CERTAIN BROTHELS CATER TO SADOMASOCHISTS; THE PROSTITUTES SERVE EITHER AS VICTIMS OF THE SADIST OR IN A DOMINANT ROLE FOR THE MASOCHIST. SPECIFIC CASES ARE DESCRIBED WHICH ILLUSTRATE VARIOUS TECHNIQUES, DEVICES, FETISHES, AND FANTASIES, AS WELL AS DANGEROUS SITUATIONS; IN MANY OF THE CASES, THE VICTIM DIED AS A RESULT OF ASPHYXIATION. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS SHOULD BE FAMILIAR WITH THIS TYPE OF BEHAVIOR AND THE PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS OF SADOMASOCHISTS. OFTEN THE DEGREE OF MASOCHISM IS SO STRIKING AS TO MAKE EVEN AN EXPERIENCED INVESTIGATOR SUSPECT THAT FOUL PLAY WAS INVOLVED. (VDA)