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Transmission of the AIDS Virus Through Criminal Activity

NCJ Number
120093
Journal
Criminal Law Bulletin Volume: 25 Issue: 5 Dated: (September-October 1989) Pages: 454-465
Author(s)
M Blumberg
Date Published
1989
Length
12 pages
Annotation
Fear that criminal activity, such as rape or prostitution, may spread the AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) virus from high-risk groups to the general population has raised some important constitutional issues: Is mandatory AIDS testing of prison inmates constitutional? What about inmates incarcerated for prostitution or sex offenses? Does the victim of a rape have a right to know the antibody status of her assailant?
Abstract
The answers to these questions will be influenced by the medical evidence of whether AIDS can be easily spread by criminal activity. The author believes that the danger has been exaggerated and demonstrates that AIDS is unlikely to pass into the general population in any of these ways. 58 notes. (Publisher abstract)