Citation

Sjöstedt G, Långström N, Sturidsson K, Grann M. Crim. Justice Behav. 2004; 31(5): 609-623.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0093854804267094

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Little is known about the stability of modus operandi (MO) in sexual offending. The authors studied a cohort of all sexual offenders released from prison into the Swedish community during the years from 1993 to 1997 (N = 1,303) and analyzed sexual reoffenders' MO in terms of victim choice, offense nature, and severity, comparing prior offenses with those registered during an average 6-year follow-up. Stability in MO, explored with Cohen's Kappa and Odds Ratios (ORs) as measures of agreement across registered sexual offenses, was high, specifically with respect to victim choice.

RESULTS are discussed in relation to sexual deviance and opportunity structure. The authors argue that assessment and management of sexual recidivism risk might benefit from information on offense MO. Furthermore, the results could inform police investigative strategies, such as linking multiple offenses committed by an unidentified offender.

Language: en