Mindhunting in Practice: Multidisciplinary Collaborations in Offender-Focused Investigations (REPEAT)

The investigation of cold case sexual assaults presents unique challenges to law enforcement. While victims are centered in these investigations, shifting the focus to those who commit these crimes is an under-utilized yet effective approach. This offender-focused model, most notably employed by the original Behavioral Science Unit at the FBI, has generated considerable empirical knowledge in the areas of sexual assault motivation, dynamics, and method. The presenters will explain an offender-focused model which applies both the expertise of law enforcement and the knowledge and practice of academics. They will discuss the history of offender-focused investigation and explain how they formed a collaborative relationship to review cases. Lastly they will discuss how maintaining the focus on the offender can provide innovative approaches to investigations.