Improving rape and serious sex offences investigations

Authors: Horvath, M.A.H., Davies, K.

Journal: Journal of Criminal Psychology

Publication Date: 04/11/2025

Volume: 15

Issue: 5

Pages: 541-552

eISSN: 2049-9388

ISSN: 2009-3829

DOI: 10.1108/JCP-02-2025-0018

Abstract:

Purpose – This special collection is devoted to some of the academic work underpinning Pillars 1 and 2 of Operation Soteria Bluestone (OSB). OSB was an academic police collaboration whose aim was to construct a co-produced evidence-based framework to improve the investigation of rape and serious sex offences (RASSO). This paper provides a timeline for the phases of OSB collaboration, running from the pilot project through to the start of national implementation in England and Wales. Design/methodology/approach – A mixed-method approach was used. Data included: qualitative interviews with more than 100 police officers and prosecutors; the creation of a quantitative data set, an anonymised, four-year sample of all sex offences (n = 366, 346) recorded by five forces between January 2018 and December 2021; and two types of case reviews (312 in total) including qualitative and quantitative data. Findings – This study reports research findings from phases of the project running from January 2021 to September 2023 involving five police forces. Originality/value – Recommendations arising from this work regarding what investigative best practices in RASSO should look like are outlined and a visual summary is provided. This study concludes with observations about the way forward.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/40939/

Source: Scopus