NCJ Number
185819
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 27 Issue: 11 Dated: November 2000 Pages: 24-32
Date Published
November 2000
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Police investigators who seek to locate, identify, and prosecute pedophiles who operate on the World Wide Web need to understand the Internet and the types of sex offenders who stalk children there.
Abstract
The four main types of sexual deviants who operate in cyberspace include individuals who post and exchange homemade or personal photographs, organized pedophile groups, organized criminal groups engaged in deviant activity for profit, and sexual predators who use cyberspace to lure their victims. Investigators need to develop a database, develop several online personas, and then use the Internet. A strategic approach to these types of investigations must include: (1) provisions to monitor both commercial and personal Web sites; (2) newsgroups such as USENET, eGroups, or forbidden newsgroups; (3) chatrooms for both adults and children; (4) Internet service provider clubs; members-only websites; and (5) remote storage sites. Investigators can develop their databases of commercial websites by using any one of a number of search engines. They should create and maintain several identities with email addresses at a variety of locations. They must remain true to their fictitious identifies during online investigations. Illustrations