Offending Histories and Typologies of Suspected Sexual Offenders Identified Via Untested Sexual Assault Kits

Abstract

In this study, we present findings that detail the criminal offending histories and typologies of suspected sexual offenders identified from an initiative to follow up on the testing of thousands of previously untested sexual assault kits (SAKs). This study advances our understanding of sexual offenders by incorporating data from criminal justice system records (“detected” criminal offending) with data from newly tested SAKs that were not previously adjudicated (“undetected” sexual offending). Our findings demonstrate that these offenders have extensive criminal histories, very frequently continued to offend after the SAK-associated sexual assault, and, more often than not, have criminal histories that do not include a prior arrest(s) for rape. A latent class analysis identified three classes of offenders based on their offending history, “High-Volume Generalists,” “Low-Volume Offenders,” and “Sexual Specialists.” Most were generalists, with a large proportion committing lots of serious crimes.

The case for “investigate all”: Assessing the cost‐effectiveness of investigating no CODIS hit cases in a sexual assault kit initiative

“…The incremental cost‐effectiveness analyses showed that investigating all cases instead of only those with CODIS hits meant paying $9121 p/additional indictment and $12,000 p/additional conviction. Given the $241,960 tangible and intangible societal cost for each sexual assault, this is a relatively small price for the system to expend to get dangerous sexual offenders [40] off the streets, give justice to victims [43], and make the community safer [40].…”

“…Moreover, the cost‐effectiveness did not come from the testing (which will always be a cost to the system) but from the investigative follow‐up. Specifically, the cost savings occurred from what transpired after the testing—the indictments and convictions that got dangerous sexual offenders off the streets, thereby preventing future sexual assaults (in addition to other crimes see [40]).…”

“…The cost of future sexual assaults averted p/offender convicted was calculated based on the 25% serial sex offending statistic and the cost to victims (societal cost). While research has found that suspects identified via a SAK initiative often have extensive criminal histories [40], except for sexual assault, we did not include any other types of crimes in our estimates for future crimes averted due to conviction-an underestimate of the societal costs.…”

Investigative Outcomes of CODIS Matches in Previously Untested Sexual Assault Kits

“…In response to the lack of universal testing of SAKs, stakeholders argue that previously unsubmitted SAKs may still hold evidentiary value. More specifically, if now tested, they may lead to the arrest and prosecution of offenders, and especially those offenders who have committed multiple crimes (Lovell et al, 2020). Comparing samples from these unsubmitted kits to samples in state and federal DNA databases would expose such offenders who would otherwise have remained hidden.…”

Do Impulsivity and Education Moderate the Effectiveness of Police Sexual Assault Investigations Training? Findings From a Solomon Four-Group Quasi-Experiment

“…These high rates of case attrition deny justice for victims and prevent individuals charged with sexual offenses from being held accountable (Lovell et al, 2020). Accordingly, it is critical for officers to receive training aimed at reducing adherence to rape myths, minimizing secondary trauma, and improving victim engagement with the criminal justice system (O’Neal, 2019).…”