False Allegations in Vulnerable Groups

Abstract There are a number of vulnerable groups frequently associated with false reporting. These most often include law enforcement; university students; those who suffer addictions; sex workers; and public figures (e.g., celebrities and politicians). Though not viable as a prediction, we have found that large numbers of individuals in these groups either routinely make false reports, or they are routinely accused of crimes they did not commit. These cases are problematic for the justice system because they evoke preexisting biases and prejudices that can improperly color truth-seeking efforts and related legal proceedings. Objective investigations and related forensic examinations seek to determine the truth. This requires establishing victim background information and incident history, referred to as forensic victimology. This information contextualizes crime-related behavior, prevents misattribution of evidence and injury, and helps establish the viable investigative suspect pool. The problem is that many unprofessional and untrained investigators do not know that they need to ask for this information; ask for it in an inappropriate or denigrating fashion; or request it for personal and prurient reasons. Ethical investigators and examiners do not approach their casework with an eye towards victim blaming. This means that they do not seek to dissuade victims from reporting crime, or marginalize the crimes that are reported. They conduct themselves with compassion, take reports faithfully, investigate the facts, and collect related evidence. When casework involves vulnerable populations of victims, they are afforded the same respect and dignity like any other. This means that proofs are diligently sought to establish the veracity of their claims without consideration of personal bias, public pressure, or politics.