THE advent of DNA testing has made a stunning impact on sex criminals in the United States, as rapists have started using condoms to escape detection through the process.
Latest studies of statements by rape victims across the country indicate that between 15 and 20 per cent of rapists wore them. Concerned police say if the trend continues, it will make securing a rape conviction - already difficult in many cases due to a lack of forensic evidence - near impossible in some instances.
Detectives say that in addition to wearing condoms, some rapists are even taking the extra precaution of thoroughly washing themselves after an attack and, in some cases, of forcing their victims to bathe as well.
Observers have suggested that the use of condoms points to the concern of rapists that they may risk contracting the HIV virus from their victims.
Other counsellors say that rapists who use condoms may do so to heighten their feelings of power over their victims, by showing their ability to calmly stop during the assault to put on a contraceptive.
Rape victims, however, view this phenomenon with somewhat mixed feelings. Many of the women are relieved that they will not have to cope with a sexually transmitted disease, or an unwanted pregnancy.