Behavioural Crime Linkage in Rape and Sexual Assault Cases

Amy Burrell, Matthew Tonkin

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

Behavioural crime linkage (BCL) analyses offender crime scene behaviour with the aim of identifying groups of crimes that share similar (and distinctive) behaviours. This allows police to infer that the same person/s were responsible for crimes, allowing them to be “linked” as a crime series. Successful BCL can increase the quantity and quality of evidence available to the police, which increase the likelihood of apprehending and successfully prosecuting the offender. This chapter will review the theoretical framework underpinning BCL (behavioural consistency and behavioural distinctiveness) and summarise key literature on rape and sexual assault - including the latest, cutting-edge, collaborative work jointly-led by academics and law enforcement practitioners. The chapter will also outline (using real life case studies) how BCL can be used to support the investigation of sexual offences, and will critically discuss future research directions and how this work might enhance the detection, prosecution, and prevention of serial sexual offending.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationPreventing Sexual Violence
EditorsStephanie Kewley, Charlotte Barlow
PublisherPolicy Press
Pages111-130
Number of pages20
ISBN (Print)978-1529203769
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2020

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