Offender-centric policing in cases of rape

Rumney, Philip NS; McPhee, Duncan

Abstract

The article explores the idea of ‘offender-centric’ policing in cases of rape, with its focus on suspect and offender admissions and behaviours. It features discussion of 11 cases, illustrating offender-centric pathways to charge or conviction, the challenges facing complainants, suspects and police officers, along with missed opportunities to focus on a suspect’s behaviour. The importance of victim care and support is discussed, and it is argued that victim care should accompany an offender-centric approach to rape investigation. It is also argued that there are potential dangers with offender-centric tactics, specifically, that without due care it may become a self-confirming investigative tool influenced by confirmation bias which may lead to flawed decision-making. The article concludes by arguing that offender-centric policing has benefits in those cases with suspects who engage in predatory behaviour, have a history of previously undisclosed sexual offending and domestic violence and other problematic behaviours. It also has value in focusing the attention of investigators on what steps were taken by a suspect to ascertain the complainant’s consent. While the offender-centric approach cannot address all investigative challenges in rape cases, it is a useful addition to existing strategies.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 7, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Jul 16, 2021
• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2021
• Deposit Date: Jul 20, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 2, 2021
• Journal: The Journal of Criminal Law
• Print ISSN: 0022-0183
• Electronic ISSN: 1740-5580
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 85
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 425-440
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00220183211027453
• Keywords: Rape; sexual assault; police; offenders; investigation
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/7556453