SEXUAL OFFENDERS MODUS-OPERANDI - A COMPARISON OF STRUCTURED INTERVIEW AND QUESTIONNAIRE APPROACHES

Clinical practice has long supported the use of structured interviews with both perpetrators and victims of sexual offenses. However; empiri cal studies have not examined the differential utility of structured i nterviews and self-report questionnaires for obtaining information abo ut sex offenders' modus operandi. This investigation compared the abil ity of these two assessment approaches to provide details regarding se xual offenders' modus operandi from the perspective of victims, incarc erated offenders and offenders in outpatient treatment. Study findings indicated that structured interviews and questionnaires yielded consi stent information for most items across participant groups. For modus operandi items that were not consistently reported more information wa s obtained via the questionnaire format. However in one instance, the interview format obtained significantly more information about incarce rated offenders' use of threats and coercion to gain victim cooperatio n in sexual activity. Implications for child sexual abuse prevention, offender and victim treatment and future research are discussed.