NCJ Number
59901
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 48 Issue: 8 Dated: (AUGUST 1979) Pages: 6-12
Date Published
1979
Length
7 pages
Annotation
OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE BEHAVIOR MANIFESTED IN EXHIBITIONISM, KLEPTOMANIA, PYROMANIA, OBSCENE PHONE CALLS, ETC., IS EXPLAINED IN ORDER TO IMPROVE POLICE INVESTIGATORY TECHNIQUES.
Abstract
MANY CRIMES WHICH APPEAR TO BE SEXUALLY RELATED ORIGINATE IN OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE BEHAVIOR. THEREFORE, OFFICERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE PERSONALITY INVOLVED IN THESE CRIMES AND KNOW THE MOTIVATING FACTORS INVOLVED. DISCUSSIONS OF THE OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE INDIVIDUAL'S ACTS (EXHIBITIONISM, KLEPTOMANIA, PYROMANIA, VOYEURISM, FETISHISM, AND OBSCENE PHONE CALLS) REVEAL SEXUAL INADEQUACY, ANXIETY, AND REPEATED STEREOTYPIC PATTERNS OF BEHAVIOR OR RITUALS. THESE RITUALISTIC PATTERNS PROVIDE THE 'KEY' TO SOLVING MANY CRIMES. FOR INSTANCE, THE EXHIBITIONIST TYPICALLY CONDUCTS HIS ACTIVITIES IN THE SAME TYPE OF AREA OR NEIGHBORHOOD, DURING THE SAME TIME OF DAY, AND IN THE SAME MANNER EACH TIME. THE PYROMANIAC WILL USUALLY BE AMONG THE FIRST AT THE SCENE OF THE FIRE, BEFORE THE CROWD GATHERS, AND MAY, ON OCCASION, BE A FIREMAN OR SOMEONE WHO HAS EXPRESSED A DESIRE TO BE A FIREMAN IN THE PAST. KLEPTOMANIACS OFTEN FREQUENT THE SAME DEPARTMENT STORE, AND VOYEURS USUALLY OPERATE CLOSE TO NEIGHBORHOODS IN WHICH THEY RESIDE AND AT THE SAME TIME EACH EVENING. OTHER COMMONALITIES FOUND IN THE PROFILES OF INDIVIDUALS WHO MANIFEST OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE BEHAVIOR ARE DESCRIBED. TO APPREHEND THESE 'NUISANCE' OFFENDERS, POLICE OFFICERS MUST CONDUCT A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION. IN THE CASE OF THE OBSCENCE PHONE CALLER, AS WELL AS THE KLEPTOMANIAC, PYROMANIAC, VOYEUR, AND FETISHIST, POLICE SHOULD OBTAIN A WARRANT TO SEARCH THE INDIVIDUAL'S RESIDENCE. OBSCENE PHONE CALLERS MAY HAVE LOG BOOKS OF THEIR CALLS, FETISHISTS MAY MAINTAIN ITEMS OF CLOTHING THEY HAVE TAKEN, PYROMANIACS MAY HAVE NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS OF THEIR DEEDS, AND VOYEURS MAY KEEP ADDRESSES OF THEIR VICTIMS. POLICE INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES, AIMED AT DETERMINING THE MOTIVATION BEHIND THE ACT AND PROVIDING THESE INDIVIDUALS WITH THE HELP THEY MAY BE SEEKING, ARE EXAMINED. FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. (WJR)