Stranger Danger: Analyzing Offender Behaviors Based on Victim Approach Tactics in Sexual Homicide.

Area of Science:

• Forensic Psychology
• Criminology
• Victimology

Background:

• Sexual homicide investigations involving strangers often lack crucial information regarding perpetrator access methods.
• Victims may be deceived by perpetrators using a friendly approach, hindering danger assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify potential predictors of approach methods used by sexual murderers targeting strangers.
• To analyze offender preferences and behaviors based on their chosen approach method.

Main Methods:

• Logistic regression analysis was employed to examine offender characteristics and behaviors.
• Data focused on sexual murderers who target strangers and their approach methods (con, blitz, surprise).

Main Results:

• Offenders using a deceptive "con" approach were more likely to have male victims compared to "blitz" or "surprise" attacks.
• The "con" approach group exhibited greater post-crime organization, including body relocation and weapon disposal.
• Crimes involving the "con" approach more frequently included oral sex and showed lower rates of victim beating.

Conclusions:

• Understanding the "con" approach in sexual homicide is vital for investigative strategies.
• Offender behaviors such as victim gender, vulnerability exploitation, and post-crime actions can predict the approach method.
• These findings offer insights into the modus operandi of sexual murderers targeting strangers.