Law enforcement officers are often called upon to respond to domestic dispute calls in which a clear suspect and victim are not immediately apparent. Multiple involved parties may present with injuries or provide conflicting accounts about what happened and who is at fault. But the stakes are high: Failure to identify the predominant aggressor—the person primarily responsible for perpetrating abuse in the relationship—can result in unjust arrest, retraumatization of victims,
and reduced safety outcomes while allowing the true aggressor to evade accountability and continue their abusive behavior.
This tip sheet offers practical guidance to help law enforcement officers accurately identify the predominant aggressor, avoid misidentifying victims and offenders, reduce wrongful and mutual arrests, and uphold the integrity of the investigation, including statements and evidence collection.