NCJ Number
210588
Journal
Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume: 10 Issue: 5 Dated: July-August 2005 Pages: 579-603
Date Published
July 2005
Length
25 pages
Annotation
This analysis of 20 selected studies of the spatial behavior of sex offenders focuses on the theoretical, empirical, and practical issues.
Abstract
The theoretical models related to the spatial behavior of sex offenders are identified as routine-activity theory, rational-choice theory, and crime-pattern theory. The "journey-to-crime" research pertained to links between types of crimes and spatial behavior, with attention to the features of sex crimes that might pertain to the distances and patterns of travel used by sex offenders. Other correlates of spatial behavior for crimes in general and sex crimes in particular addressed in this analysis are offender individual characteristics and the characteristics of the criminal methods used by the offender. This article also reviews specific studies in order to identify typologies of spatial behavior. The literature review indicates that most sex offenders commit their crimes close to their homes. Some, however, travel longer distances. In an effort to explain variations in distances traveled by sex offenders, some researchers have attempted to develop spatial typologies that will differentiate the geographically stable from the geographically transient sex offender. These typologies have several limitations, however. Almost all are imprecise, in that there is no attempt to measure the distances traveled or the size of the area for each group. Also, most of these typologies have not been identified empirically by the use of statistical analyses. There has been little empirical research on the links between offender characteristics, modus operandi, crime-scene variables, and spatial behavior. Researchers should also attempt to identify any rationality that might determine the hunting patterns of sex offenders as they select certain types of victims. 3 tables and 78 references