Preferential and Situational Sexual Offender Identification and Comparison through Native American Case Evaluation

• In Event: Factors Surrounding the Severity of Sexual Assaults among Native Americans

Abstract

Multiple classifications of sexual offenders have been identified and discussed in previous research and literature. Two common sexual offender types include preferential and situational sexual offenders. This research endeavor considers various case, victim, and offender characteristics to identify sexual assault offenders as preferential or situational. The variables and data used in this research is compiled from sexual assault cases occurring in Indian Country analyzed by the Center for Applied Criminal Case Analysis. This offender identification is accomplished by consideration of case, victim and offender variables including accessibility to victims, repeat offending, multiple victims, consistent crime characteristics, consistent victim characteristics and more. Following the identification of both preferential and situational offenders present in these cases, this research then analyzes and discusses the identified preferential offenders in comparison to the identified situational offenders. This comparison reveals differences present in variables linked to offender, victim and crime characteristics.

Authors

• Lauren Henry, University of Florida

• Marshall A. Jones, Florida Institute of Technology

• Travis W. Conradt, Florida Institute of Technology