Examining Differences in the Criminal Histories of Serial vs. Nonserial Sex Offenders Linked to Unsubmitted Sexual Assault Kits

• In Event: Criminal Histories of Serial Sex Offenders Identified via the Unsubmitted Sexual Assault Kit Initiative

Abstract

In 2013, a Sexual Assault Kit Task Force was formed by the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office to investigate and prosecute offenders connected to the nearly 5,000 previously unsubmitted SAKs tested from 1993 thru 2009 in the county. In this paper, we compare criminal histories of nonserial sex offenders (those who have been connected to only one unsubmitted SAK and have no other sexually-based arrests) vs. serial sex offenders (those who have been connected to more than one unsubmitted SAK and/or have at least one sexually-based arrest) from a sample of offenders connected to unsubmitted SAKs that have currently either been indicted by the Task Force or not indicted due to insufficient evidence. Our data include offenders entire criminal offending history-prior and subsequent to the sexual assault associated with the SAK. We coded arrests for the eight index crimes plus domestic violence and felony drug offenses. Overall, all offenders in this sample have substantial criminal histories. Preliminary analysis indicates no significant difference between serial and non-serial sex offenders in their age of first offense and number of index property crime arrests. Non-serial offenders were significantly less likely to be arrested for index violent crimes compared to serial sex offenders.

Authors

• Daniel J. Flannery, Case Western Reserve University

• Rachel E. Lovell, Case Western Reserve University

• Laura Overman, Case Western Reserve University