title: Characteristics of false allegation adult crimes.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to identify common factors in false allegation adult crimes, by examining the dynamics involved in 30 confirmed false allegation cases. The authors conducted a comprehensive review of these adjudicated cases and then completed a collection instrument to capture offender demographics, offense characteristics, and motive. The results indicated that most false allegation crimes were committed by women (73.3%) and Caucasians (93.3%). Data indicated that more interpersonally violent allegations were primarily motivated by attention/sympathy needs (50.0%), whereas more impersonal offenses involved other motivations such as providing an alibi (16.7%) or profit (13.3%). Offenders tended to be younger, high school graduates with no higher education (43.3%). A total of 23.3% of offenders had a prior criminal history. Male offenders appeared as likely as women to be motivated by attention/sympathy; however, men tended to select more violent, nonsexual offenses (e.g., attempted murder) than women.
authors.affiliation: Federal Bureau of Investigation, NCAVC, FBI Academy, Quantico, VA 22135, USA. James.mcnamara@ic.fbi.gov
authors.forename: James J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: McNamara
authors.forename: Sean
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: Jennifer M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lawrence
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003415:Crime / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008192:Deception; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D012737:Sex Factors; D044465:White People; D055815:Young Adult