ABSTRACT
Over the years the authors have assisted investigators in better understanding the significance of materials seized from violent sexual offenders. Some materials, such as items stolen from rape victims, are routinely seized by the police when found in the possession of the offender. However, it has been found that the full significance of these and other materials is not recognized by investigators, prosecutors, or mental health professionals. Seemingly innocuous items such as newspaper articles (apparently unrelated to the crime), published books, real estate listings, and detective magazines may be very significant to the subject’s crime and can provide a greater understanding of the sexual offender.
