NCJ Number
224970
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 56 Issue: 10 Dated: October 2008 Pages: 114,115,117,118
Date Published
October 2008
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article examines how the role of fantasy (fantasy drawings) provides investigators with a roadmap (an analysis) of an offender’s sexual behavior and sexual aggression.
Abstract
Law enforcement must first understand the role of fantasy in sex-related homicide and death investigations. Fantasy fuels the mental and emotional processes underlying human behavior revealed in the crime scene or accidental death event. Fantasy serves as an indication of the “signature” of an offender enabling detectives to link an offender to a particular series of crimes committed by that offender. In these types of crimes, it is recommended that search warrant applications reference fantasy drawings, photographs, records, scripts, letters, maps, diaries, audiotapes, videotapes, and newspaper reports of the crimes as possible evidence to be seized. All human sexual activities are initiated through fantasies which are mental images usually involving some fulfilled or unfulfilled desire. A person who is aroused with thoughts and fantasies of sexual aggression often incorporates elements into his life that serve to enhance his violent fantasies. Many sexual assaults and/or homicides are a direct result of an offender acting out a specific sexual fantasy fueled by sadistic pornography.