Modernized female sex offender typologies: Intrapsychic, behavioral, and trauma related domains

Abstract

The authors utilize a meta-analysis of the literature and grounded theory strategy to dissect some of the most widely utilized female sex offender typology studies of the past several decades. A historical account of the process of female sex offender classification is detailed, and emerging research on the implications of trauma in the behavioral trajectories of offenders is incorporated into the study. The analysis uncovers considerable similarities between the identified, empirically validated clusters of typologies and allows for constructing a single modernized cluster of three basic typologies, each containing intrapsychic, behavioral, and trauma-related domains. Findings are presented, and three typology designations, Relational, Predatory, and Chaotic, are detailed and explain how they were empirically developed. Implications for utilization and considerations for further development and validation are presented.