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Paraphilic Bondage in sex crimes

It is very important when profiling a sexual predator to know how to tell the difference between simply restraining a victim with bindings, or paraphilic sexual bondage.

Restraining a victim by tying her up, gagging her, etc. can simply be a necessary part of the commission of the crime.

Paraphilic bondage represents part of the offender’s fantasy, and recognizing his behaviours for what they are will give you insight into his personality and help you create a profile. Excessive bindings often represent paraphilic behaviour and fantasy - for ex. not just the wrists are taped together, but the tape proceeds all the way up to the elbows. The two most important things to note at a crime scene are:

• neatness (ex. there will not be a gag just shoved in her mouth, the offender will have taken the time to fold the gag neatly and tie it just right)
• symmetry (ex. bindings on one side of the body will reflect the bindings on the other side - if one wrist has a cord neatly wrapped around it three times, the other wrist will also have a cord wrapped neatly around it three times)

Neatness and symmetry of bindings will tell you that you have a Ritualistic Offender - this offender is deeply engulfed in fantasy and will likely be highly organized. You will find pornographic material in his home or vehicle which will reflect his fantasy. He will have multiple paraphilias. He probably has a compliant victim (a wife, or prostitutes that agree to act out fantasies with him - they will give great insight into his mind if you find him!) He will likely take pictures or videos. He may write extensively in journals about his fantasy and/or crimes. This is the most difficult offender to catch, and is probably the most likely to get away with his crimes.