Optimal Foraging Theory’s Application to Internet Sex Offender Search Behavior: A Theoretical Model for Computer Forensic Investigations

Previous literature involving Optimal Foraging Theory has largely been focused in the biological sciences with only limited studies examining its affect in a criminal context. Those studies have successfully demonstrated foraging patterns in criminals selecting targets for burglary and motor vehicle theft. Evidence from official sources and forensic computing indicates a substantial rise in the number of sexual crimes facilitated by Internet sexual predators. Understanding the behavior of this population could result in better investigation and prevention methods. This paper presents a model of Optimal Foraging Theory applied to the behavior of Internet sexual predators. It draws from the literature in ecology, criminology, Internet foraging, and sex offender behavior. It also draws on investigations of sex offenders and their behavior in searching for and selecting targets. The result of the discussion is a theoretical framework of search behaviour of Internet sex offenders.