September 2012 False Allegations of Adult Crimes September 2012 Volume 81 Number 9 United States Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation Washington, DC 20535-0001 Robert S. Mueller III Director Contributors’ opinions and statements Features should not be considered an endorsement by the FBI for any policy, program, or service. The attorney general has determined False Allegations of Investigators should learn to detect that the publication of this periodical Adult Crimes these offenses, which waste law is necessary in the transaction of the 1 enforcement resources and impact public business required by law. Use By James McNamara and of funds for printing this periodical has communities. been approved by the director of the Jennifer Lawrence Office of Management and Budget. The FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin (ISSN-0014-5688) is published monthly by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 935 Pennsylvania Qualified Immunity This doctrine provides important Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. By Richard G. Schott legal protections for officers in the 20535-0001. Periodicals postage paid 22 performance of their duties. at Washington, D.C., and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to Editor, FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, FBI Academy, Quantico, VA 22135. Editor John E. Ott Associate Editors Eric A. D’Orazio Linda L. Fresh Departments David W. MacWha Art Director Stephanie L. Lowe 7 Leadership Spotlight 13 Research Forum The Training Division’s Falling Prey to Posturing The Attitudes of Police Outreach and Communications Unit Managers Toward produces this publication with assistance from the division’s 8 Perspective Intelligence-Led Policing National Academy Unit. Redefining Police Power Issues are available online at 18 http://www.fbi.gov. Bulletin Alert 12 ViCAP Alert Deployment of Spike Strips E-mail Address [email protected] Sexual Assault Case 19 Notable Speech Cover Photo © iStockphoto.com J-U-S-T-I-C-E Send article submissions to Editor, FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, FBI Academy, Quantico, VA 22135. ISSN 0014-5688 USPS 383-310 © shutterstock.com False Allegations of Adult Crimes By JAMES MCNAMARA, M.S., and JENNIFER LAWRENCE, M.A. t 7:30 a.m., an unknown secluded rural area and led her 3 p.m. Pamela drove herself to male abducted Pamela into the woods. He bound her to the nearest hospital for treat- Aat knifepoint while she a tree, placing the bicycle chain ment, and staff members notified fueled her car at a convenience around her neck. The subject the police. After receiving medi- store. The offender then forced then assaulted her vaginally cal attention, she was released. her to drive to a bridge, where with a box cutter and lacerated State and local police in- they crossed into a neighbor- her breasts and right nipple. vestigators conducted the initial ing state. During the long ride, Then, he ordered Pamela interview of Pamela at the he choked her with a bicycle back into her car and had her hospital. Although initially co- security chain and slashed her drive them to a nearby ferry. operative, she stopped answer- with a knife. The subject exited the vehicle ing questions. Pamela agreed Next, the assailant ordered and disappeared while heading to meet investigators at a later Pamela to park the vehicle in a toward the ferry at about date at the state police barracks September 2012 / 1 to discuss the abduction and antidepressant. Working with against them to a law enforce- sexual assault, but she never NCAVC, officers developed a ment agency. Both men and arrived. successful interview strategy, women commit these crimes; A review of hospital medi- and Pamela finally admitted that however, women perpetrate cal records showed that Pamela she fabricated the abduction and the majority of them. A limited received treatment for super- sexual assault. number of studies have focused ficial lacerations to her right Her false allegation tied up on false allegation adult crimes, hand, left breast, right breast the resources of several state with the majority of research and nipple, and neck. She also and local police departments, as addressing cases of rape and to had several superficial abrasions well as the area FBI office. Sig- a lesser degree stalking.1 in her pubic region. The doctor nificant media attention focused These offenses occur described her as tired but in no on the case prior to her confes- throughout America every acute discomfort. sion. An artist’s sketch of the year. Unfortunately, they waste Officers found no forensic imaginary offender circulated. substantial investigative re- evidence from Pamela or her The media quoted a spokesper- sources—needed for legitimate vehicle. They contacted the son for a local women’s rape cases involving real victims— FBI’s National Center for the crisis center as saying, “What before authorities can identify Analysis of Violent Crime I see is a community that is them as false allegations. And, (NCAVC) for assistance scared….” as noted in the quote from the in developing an interview crisis center worker, these false strategy. Investigators deter- Background allegations can severely affect mined that Pamela suffered A false allegation crime in- communities and the people from depression and anxiety volves persons reporting a fab- who live and work there. Worse, and had a prescription for an ricated offense that has occurred they can make it harder for law enforcement agencies and citizens to take real victims of crime seriously. Offender Motivations Perpetrators of false al- legation crimes have various underlying motivations that fall into one or more categories. Investigators may encounter cases involving more than one motivation.2 Mental illness/depression Attention/sympathy Special Agent McNamara serves Ms. Lawrence serves as a crime Financial/profit in the National Center for the analyst in the National Center for Analysis of Violent Crime in the the Analysis of Violent Crime in the Alibi FBI’s Critical Incident Response FBI’s Critical Incident Response Group. Group. Revenge 2 / FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin A significant life problem motive or incentive, mental The covert investigation (e.g., marital, financial, employ- health issues may prove focuses on establishing whether ment) that the offender does not significant. the case involves a false allega- have the skills to resolve drives tion crime. Keeping this prong the motivation. Many perpetra- Investigations covert helps to avoid premature- tors have multiple life difficul- Law enforcement offi- ly accusing a legitimate victim ties. Rather than seeking ap- cers may find false allegation of a false allegation, prevent propriate assistance from family crimes complex and difficult to derailing the overt investigation, members, coworkers, clergy unravel. Further, investigators and preserve valuable informa- members, or mental health working closely with offenders tion for the subject interview. professionals, offenders develop may become so emotionally Officers must gather all possible a self-victimization plan. These invested in the case that they details concerning offenders. individuals may realize tempo- have a hard time believing Because false allegation perpe- rary relief from their life prob- that the individual could be trators have serious life prob- lems due to immediate attention deceptive. lems motivating them, the co- and support from family, neigh- vert investigation quietly must bors, and coworkers. And, more identify which issues trouble the often than not, false allegation individual. This type of infor- offenders do not consider the mation proves crucial during the serious, long-term law enforce- A suspected false interview process. Investigators ment investigation or significant allegation requires a need to examine offenders’ per- media coverage that reveals the two-pronged sonal relationships, employment truth. In the long run, offenders “ situation, finances, past criminal approach—covert are worse off than before the history, and other areas of their false allegation crime report and and overt. life to identify any indication of even may face prosecution. abnormal stress. Typically, female offend- Additionally, the covert ers want to gain attention and investigation determines if the sympathy and will falsely allege offender has made other false offenses, such as interpersonal A suspected false allega- allegations or crime reports. violence (e.g., sexual assault), tion requires a two-pronged Officers also should check with more likely to achieve that approach—covert and overt.” local emergency rescue depart- result. While the desire for at- Of course, overt investigation ments or hospital emergency tention and sympathy also can proves necessary in the early rooms to discover any false motivate males, they tend to opt phase of the case before offi- injury or illness reports made by for nonsexual offenses, such as cers identify the complaint as a the individual. As the covert in- physical assault or attempted false allegation. If the claim is vestigation progresses, the lead murder.3 Offenders who falsely legitimate, investigators need investigator responsible for the allege more impersonal crimes, to identify and apprehend the overall coordination of the case like theft or vandalism, more offender. They should use all should receive all information. likely will have financial or normal resources and carefully The experience of NCAVC profit motives. And, in cases protect the reporting victim’s and research related to this phe- where the perpetrator has no reputation. nomenon have shown that false