NCJ Number
211440
Date Published
March 1995
Length
112 pages
Annotation
This report summarizes findings of a comparison of 97 abducting and 60 nonabducting child molesters.
Abstract
Little scientific information is available about child abductors. The current analysis compared 97 abducting and 60 nonabducting child molesters in order to test the hypothesis that the abductors would be lower in their amount of nonoffense-related contact with children and higher in the amount of injury inflicted on their child victims. The samples under analysis included 157 offenders at the Massachusetts Treatment Center (MTC) and 13 offenders from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Academy files. The abductors and nonabductors were compared on five Crime Classification Variables described in previous Case in Points. The Crime Classification Variables included: (1) degree of preoccupation with children; (2) level of social competence; (3) amount of contact with children; (4) degree of physical injury to victim; and (5) sadism. The results suggest that abductors are lower in social competence, less likely to have a relationship with the child victim, and less likely to have frequent contact with children than the nonabductors. Additionally, abductors were more likely to use weapons in their offenses but were not more likely than nonabductors to inflict injury on their child victims. Sadistic fantasies were also more likely among the abductors. The findings indicate that continued study of child abductors can inform criminal investigations. The report includes a summary of teaching points. Tables, endnotes, references