Purpose

Using data collected from a sample of cases associated with untested sexual assault kits (SAKs), we used focal concerns theory – a framework that identifies themes relevant to criminal justice practitioners' decision-making processes – to assess the correlates of suspect identification and officers' pre-arrest decision to present a case to prosecutors.

Methods

We estimated two logistic regression models. The first model examined the ability of investigators to identify a suspect in the full sample (N = 444). The second model examined officers' decision to present cases to the prosecutor in a subsample of cases in which a suspect was identified (N = 293).

Results

The odds of suspect identification increased when victims cooperated with investigators and witnesses were available, and decreased in stranger cases and when victim credibility concerns were present in police reports. Cases were more likely to be presented to a prosecutor when victims cooperated with police, witnesses were available, suspects confessed to the crime, and suspects had a history of arrest.

Conclusions

Researchers should continue to examine pre-arrest investigative actions to inform policy and training aimed at enhancing victim engagement and reducing case attrition. Additionally, SAKs should be tested to aid investigators in identifying suspects in stranger cases.

中文翻译：

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如果性侵犯工具包未经测试会发生什么？嫌疑人身份识别和警方逮捕前决定的焦点问题分析

目的

使用从与未经测试的性侵犯工具包 (SAK) 相关的案例样本中收集的数据，我们使用焦点问题理论——一个确定与刑事司法从业人员决策过程相关的主题的框架——来评估嫌疑人身份识别与警官的相关性。逮捕前决定向检察官提交案件。

方法

我们估计了两个逻辑回归模型。第一个模型检查了调查人员在完整样本中识别嫌疑人的能力 ( N  = 444)。第二个模型检查了官员在确定嫌疑人的案件子样本中向检察官提交案件的决定（N  = 293）。

结果

当受害者与调查人员合作且有证人时，嫌疑人身份识别的几率会增加，而在陌生人案件中以及当警方报告中存在受害者可信度问题时，嫌疑人身份识别的几率会降低。当受害者与警方合作、有证人、嫌疑人承认犯罪以及嫌疑人有被捕历史时，案件更有可能提交给检察官。

结论

研究人员应继续审查逮捕前的调查行动，为旨在加强受害者参与和减少案件流失的政策和培训提供信息。此外，应测试 SAK 以帮助调查人员识别陌生人案件中的嫌疑人。