False allegation of child abduction

J Forensic Sci. 2011 May;56(3):794-802. doi: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2011.01715.x. Epub 2011 Mar 1.

Abstract

Cases in which a child has been falsely reported as missing or abducted can be extremely challenging to the law enforcement agencies responsible for their investigation. In the absence of a witnessed abduction or an obvious crime scene, it is difficult to determine whether a child has actually been abducted or has become a victim of a homicide and a false allegation. The purpose of this study was to examine falsely alleged kidnapping cases and identify successful investigative strategies. Sixty-one adjudicated false allegation cases involving 66 victims were analyzed. The mean age of the victim was 5 years. Victims came from generally unstable, high-risk family situations and were killed primarily by biological parents. Victims were killed because they were unwanted or viewed as an obstacle to a desired goal, or they were victims of abuse or maltreatment that ended in fatality.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Distribution
  • Cause of Death
  • Child
  • Child Abuse / mortality
  • Child, Preschool
  • Crime / statistics & numerical data*
  • Crime Victims / statistics & numerical data
  • Deception*
  • Domestic Violence / statistics & numerical data
  • Family
  • Family Conflict
  • Female
  • Forensic Sciences
  • Homicide / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Law Enforcement
  • Male
  • Motivation
  • Racial Groups / statistics & numerical data
  • Sex Distribution
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology
  • Unemployment / statistics & numerical data
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Wounds and Injuries / mortality