The nature and influence of the victim-offender relationship in kidnapping incidents

• A majority of kidnappings (83.7%) were perpetrated by non-strangers.
• Victim injury was more likely to occur in non-stranger kidnappings.
• The odds of sexual victimization were greater in stranger kidnappings.
• Arrest was more likely to occur in non-stranger kidnappings.
• The correlates of arrest varied by the victim-offender relationship.

PurposeExamine the nature of the victim-offender relationship in kidnapping incidents and test hypotheses about its association with victim injury, sexual victimization, arrest, and the correlates of arrest.MethodsData from the National Incident Based Reporting System were analyzed to examine the characteristics of familial, acquaintance, and stranger kidnappings. A series of logistic regression models were estimated to determine whether the victim-offender relationship was associated with victim injury, sexual victimization, arrest, and the correlates of arrest.ResultsVictim injury was more likely to occur in kidnappings perpetrated by non-strangers; the odds of sexual victimization were greater in stranger kidnappings; and the likelihood of arrest was greater in non-stranger kidnappings. In addition, variables hypothesized to influence the perceived seriousness of the crime – such as victim injury and the use of a knife – were related to arrest in non-stranger kidnappings. Conversely, variables that might help identify and/or provide evidence against a suspect – such as the co-occurrence of other crimes –were positively associated with arrest in stranger kidnappings.ConclusionsThe victim-offender relationship is important for understanding the nature and outcomes of kidnapping incidents. We discuss the implications of our findings.