Researchers examined 550 cases of child disappearance during the period 1985-1995 which were taken from databases of the FBI National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime (NCAVC). The geographic distribution of the cases included 47 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The data was statistically analyzed with the widely utilized SPSS 6.1; then, telephone interviews were conducted with the lead investigators in each case to verify facts and/or to gather additional information. The references given are current and pertinent to the study.

The statistically based findings chronicled the importance of using a developmental perspective in the analysis of crimes against children. Specifically, as the age of the child victim increases, the motive for abduction changes. Various motives (sexual, profit, revenge, emotion) are discussed and demographic findings of the victims and offenders are also presented. Caucasian children, for example, represented 72% of the victims; 87% of the abductors were male with 71% being Caucasian; African-American offenders were over represented as kidnappers of younger victims (neonates, toddlers, and preschoolers); and females generally victimized children for emotion-based reasons (51%) or with the intent of keeping the victim (44%).

While the stated purpose of the study was to create an investigative tool for professionals involved in child abduction and homicide, this material is also of clear benefit to mental health professionals, members of the legal profession, social workers and law enforcement agents.

Boudreaux, M.C., Lord, W.D., & Dutra, R.L. (1999). Child abduction: age-based analyses of offender, victim, and offense characteristics in 550 cases of alleged child disappearance. J. Forensic Sci, 44(3), 539-553.