Is police investigation of rape biased by characteristics of victims?

Bjarte Frode Vik; Kirsten Rasmussen; Berit Schei; Cecilie Therese Hagemann

Forensic Science International: Synergy (Jan 2020)

Is police investigation of rape biased by characteristics of victims?

Bjarte Frode Vik,
Kirsten Rasmussen,
Berit Schei,
Cecilie Therese Hagemann

Affiliations

Bjarte Frode Vik: Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, P.B. 8905, N-7491, Trondheim, Norway; Department of Research and Development, Psychiatry, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway; St. Olavs Hospital, Department of Neuropsychiatry, P.B. 3250 Torgarden, N-7006, Trondheim, Norway; Corresponding author. St. Olavs University Hospital, Dept. of Neuropsychiatry, Trondheim University Hospital, P.B. 3250 Torgarden, Trondheim, N-7006, Norway.
Kirsten Rasmussen: Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Department of Psychology, 7491, Trondheim, Norway; Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Department of Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Trondheim, Norway; St. Olavs Hospital, Forensic Research Unit, Brøset, P.B. 1803 Lade, 7440, Trondheim, Norway
Berit Schei: Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, P.B. 8905, N-7491, Trondheim, Norway; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology St. Olavs Hospital, P.B. 3250 Sluppen, N-7006, Trondheim, Norway
Cecilie Therese Hagemann: Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, P.B. 8905, N-7491, Trondheim, Norway; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology St. Olavs Hospital, P.B. 3250 Sluppen, N-7006, Trondheim, Norway

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 2
pp. 98 – 106

Abstract

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Aim: To explore differences in police investigations between cases of rape against women with and without vulnerability factors. Methods: Retrospective, descriptive study of cases of rape against women ≥16 years of age. Cases involving victims with and without vulnerability factors were compared regarding the quality of police investigation. Results: Vulnerability was present among 68% of the victims. Cases with vulnerable victims had an adjusted odds ratio for a low-quality police investigation of 2.1 (95% CI [1.0–4.4]) compared to cases where victims were non-vulnerable. Conclusions: Our results do not prove that rape myths existed among police officers. Our findings show a trend indicating that vulnerable victims may have been less prioritized compared to non-vulnerable victims. More studies are needed regarding how the police respond to rape complaints and to what degree police investigations are influenced by different characteristics of victims.

Published in Forensic Science International: Synergy

ISSN: 2589-871X (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Law: Law in general. Comparative and uniform law. Jurisprudence: Comparative law. International uniform law: Criminal law and procedure
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/forensic-science-international-synergy

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