This data set was compiled by ProPublica as part of a
yearlong project investigating state criminal statutes that penalize not
disclosing one’s HIV-positive status prior to sex or exposing another to HIV.
It was compiled using raw data from public county records and state databases.
Some personally identifiable information (e.g., names) has
been omitted from this data. Some values — such as case numbers, the
original data sources’ proprietary identifiers, offense dates, birth dates and
jurisdictional information — have been included to help users locate
individual cases.
What follows is a dictionary of the data set we’re releasing
with the story, which should help researchers and journalists use the material
in their own work.
Record Layout
The record layout describes the structure of ProPublica’s
data set, including each data element, position, field name and type.
PRIMARY_KEY
A globally unique identifier to distinguish individual
cases.
DAT_SRC
The original raw data source.
STATE
The state in which the case originated.
COUNTY
The county in which the case originated.
JUD_DIST
The judicial district in which the case originated.
ARRST_AGNCY
The agency responsible for the arrest.
REPORT_NO
The number assigned by the arresting agency to uniquely
identify the incident or investigation.
CASE_NO
The docket number assigned by the court to identify the case
in their files.
OFF_DATE
The date the offense occurred.
FILE_DATE
The date the prosecutor filed charges with the county court.
YEAR
The year of the offense or the year the case was filed,
whichever is earlier.
OFF_CHAP
The statute corresponding to the offense or charge. The
first subfield indicates the name of the state code. The second subfield
indicates the chapter number.
OFF_SEC
When combined with OFF_CHAP, the section within the chapter
that corresponds to the offense or charge.
OFF_SUBSEC
When combined with OFF_CHAP and OFF_SEC, the subsection
within the chapter and section that correspond to the offense or charge.
OFF_CODE
The internal code used by the raw data source to identify
the charge or offense.
OFF_DESC
A brief synopsis of the charge or offense.
EXP_METHOD
The alleged method of HIV exposure.
Codes:
P1 = Parenteral: Blood, organ, tissue, or semen donation
P2 = Parenteral: Needle-sharing during injection drug use
P3 = Parenteral: Unknown
S1 = Sexual: Sexual or ‘intimate’ contact
S2 = Sexual: Sexual assault
S3 = Sexual: Prostitution or soliciting a prostitute
O1 = Other: Biting, spitting, or throwing bodily fluids
O2 = Other: Biting, spitting, or throwing bodily fluids on a
law enforcement officer
DISP_TYPE
The case’s final disposition.
Codes:
C1 = Conviction by guilty plea/nolo contendere
C2 = Conviction by bench trial
C3 = Conviction by jury trial
C4 = Conviction by unknown
A1 = Acquittal by bench trial
A2 = Acquittal by jury trial
A3 = Acquittal by unknown
D1 = Dismissal by court
D2 = Dismissal by jury trial
D3 = Dismissal by prosecutor/nolle prosequi
D4 = Dismissal by unknown
P1 = Pending
DISP_DATE
The date a charge was terminated by judgment of conviction,
acquittal, or dismissal.
SENT_LEN
The length of sentence imposed
Examples:
0010000 = “1 Year”
0000600 = “6 Months”
0000015 = “15 Days”
0010615 = “1 Year, 6 Months, 15 Days”
DEF_ID
The internal unique identifier assigned to the defendant or
offender by the raw data source.
Values containing the “PP” were assigned by ProPublica to
identify unique defendants when the data source did not assign an ID.
DEF_SEX
The sex of the defendant.
DEF_RACE
The race of the defendant.
Codes:
AM = American Indian or Alaska Native
AS = Asian
BL = Black or African American
PI = Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
WH = White
DEF_ETHNICITY
Whether the defendant is of Hispanic or Latino origin.
Codes:
H = Hispanic or Latino origin
N = Not of Hispanic or Latino origin
DEF_DOB
The defendant’s date of birth.
If the exact date of birth is unknown, the month and day
subfields should contain zeroes and the value of the year subfield should
contain the year of birth.
VIC_SEX
The sex of the victim.
VIC_RACE
The race of the victim.
Codes:
AM = American Indian or Alaska Native
AS = Asian
BL = Black or African American
PI = Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
WH = White
VIC_ETHNICITY
Whether the victim is of Hispanic or Latino origin.
Codes:
H = Hispanic or Latino origin
N = Not of Hispanic or Latino origin
VIC DOB
The victim’s date of birth.
If the exact date of birth is unknown, the month and day
subfields should contain zeroes and the value of the year subfield should
contain the year of birth.
VIC_HIV
Whether the victim was later confirmed as HIV-positive.
P = Victim was confirmed as HIV-positive
N = Victim was confirmed as HIV-negative
Data Sources
Following is the list of raw data sources to be reported in DAT_SRC.
ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT
OF CORRECTIONS
ProPublica wrote software to scrape the Arkansas Department
of Correction’s online inmate database for sexual offenses to identify
offenders whose offenses included:
20-15-903 “Exposing
one to HIV Virus.”
This data set was compiled by ProPublica between October 23,
2013 and November 21, 2013 using the inmate database located at:
http://adc.arkansas.gov/inmate_info/index.php
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION
ProPublica obtained a data set compiled by the California
Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation of all offenders in prison or on
parole whose offenses included Cal. Health and Safety Code §§
120291 “Unprotected sexual activity by one who knows self to
be infected by HIV”; or
1621.5 “Knowing
donation by person with AIDS or person who has tested reactive to HIV”
This data set was provided to ProPublica on January 30, 2013
by:
Jeffrey Callison
Press Secretary
Office of Public and Employee Communications
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
1515 S Street, Ste. 502 South
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 445-4950
[email protected]
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
CORRECTIONS
ProPublica analyzed the Florida Department of Corrections’
Offender Based Information System database to identify cases in which offenses
included:
8742 “CRIM.
TRANSMISSION OF HIV”;
8743 “HIV-POSITIVE
HAS SEX”; or
8744 “HIV-POS.HAS
SEX 2+ VIOLATIONS”
The data set was downloaded by ProPublica on Jan. 31, 2013
from:
http://www.dc.state.fl.us/pub/obis_request.html
FLORIDA OFFICE OF THE
STATE COURTS ADMINISTRATOR
ProPublica obtained a data set compiled by the Florida
Office of the State Courts Administrator of all criminal charges, excluding
expunged or sealed records, filed between Dec. 31, 2002 and July 31, 2013 under
Fla. Stat. Ann. §§
384.24(2) “Sex
while HIV-positive”;
384.34(5) “Violation
of 384.24(2)”;
775.0877 “Criminal
transmission of HIV”; or
796.08 “Prostitution
with knowledge of HIV positive status”
381.0041(11)(B) “Blood,
organ, plasma, skin, or tissue donation while HIV positive”
This data was based on information provided by the Florida
clerks of court via Florida’s Offender Based Transaction System. Counties not reporting via OBTS included
Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Osceola, St. Lucie, and Seminole.
Data provided was extracted from a dynamic database and
represented all data in system as of the date of the report. The Clerk of Court
may amend this data at a later date.
More recent 2013 criminal transaction data should be
considered preliminary. Cases evolve over time and may not have yet been
reported as disposed.
The data set was provided to ProPublica on Nov. 5 and Nov.
21, 2013 by:
Stelios Manias
Court Operations Consultant
OSCA – Court Services
Supreme Court Building Annex
500 S. Duval Street
Tallahassee, FL 32301
(850) 617-0019
[email protected]
GEORGIA BUREAU OF
INVESTIGATION
ProPublica obtained a data set compiled by the Georgia
Bureau of Investigation of all arrests made under O.C.G.A §§
16-5-60(c) “reckless
conduct – HIV infected person”; or
16-5-60(d) “assault
by HIV infected person upon police or correctional officer”
The data set was provided to ProPublica on March 13, 2013
by:
Neil Gerstenberger
Assistant Deputy Director
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
3121 Panthersville Road
Decatur, GA 30034
(404) 270-8632
[email protected]
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF
CORRECTIONS
ProPublica analyzed the Georgia Department of Corrections’
offender database to identify cases in which offenses included O.C.G.A §§
16-41-7-1 “Carriers’
duty to warn persons at risk”;
35-42-2-6(e)“Battery
by body waste” (felony);
The data set was provided to ProPublica on November 21, 2013
by:
Bryan S. Wilson
Assistant Counsel
Georgia Department of Corrections
Office of Legal Services
P.O. Box 1529
Forsyth, GA 31029
(478) 992-5240
[email protected]
IOWA JUDICIAL BRANCH
ProPublica obtained a data set compiled by the Iowa
Department of Human Rights’ Division of Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning
of all criminal charges filed under:
Iowa Code § 709C.1 “Criminal
Transmission of HIV”
The data set was provided to ProPublica on December 12, 2012
by:
Laura Roeder-Grubb
Division of Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning
Iowa Department of Human Rights
321 E. 12th Street, 2nd Fl.
Lucas State Office Building
Des Moines, IA
50319
(515) 242-5042
[email protected]
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
CORRECTIONS
ProPublica analyzed the Indiana Department of Correction’s
offender database to identify cases in which offenses included Ind. Code §§
16-41-7-1 “Carriers’
duty to warn persons at risk”;
35-42-2-6(e)“Battery
by body waste” (felony);
32-42-2-6(f)“Battery
by body waste” (misdemeanor);
35-45-16-2(a) & (b) “Malicious
mischief”;
35-45-16-2(d) “Malicious
mischief”;
16-41-14-17“Donation,
sale, or transfer of HIV infected semen”; or
35-42-1-7 “Transferring
contaminated body fluids”
The data set was provided to ProPublica on November 1, 2013
by:
Sarah Schelle
Research Analyst
Indiana Department of Correction
302 W. Washington Street, Rm. E334
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 233-4764
[email protected]
KENTUCKY
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
ProPublica
searched Kentucky’s Department of Corrections online inmate database to
identify offenders whose offenses included:
311.990 “Donating
organs/skin/tissue while infected with HIV”
529.090(3) “Prostitution
while infected (H.I.V.)”
529.090(4) “Prostitution , procuring
while infected (H.I.V.)”
This data set was compiled by ProPublica on October 23,
2013 using the inmate database located at:
http://kool.corrections.ky.gov
MICHIGAN STATE POLICE
ProPublica obtained a data set compiled by the Michigan
State Police’s Criminal Justice Information Center of all criminal charges
filed under:
MCL § 333.5210 “Sexual
penetration as felony”
The data set was provided to ProPublica on November 13, 2013
by:
Pietro Semifero
Acting Manager, Criminal History Section
Criminal Justice Information Center
Michigan State Police
P.O. Box 30634
Lansing, MI
48909
(517) 241-0829
[email protected]
MISSISSIPPI
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
ProPublica analyzed the Mississippi Department of
Corrections’ offender database to identify cases in which offenses included:
5537 “Causing
Exposure to HIV”
The data set was provided to ProPublica on November 19, 2013
by:
Jerry A. Horton
Network Manager
Mississippi Department of Corrections
723 North President Street
Jackson, MS 39202
(601) 359-5641
[email protected]
MISSOURI JUDICIARY
ProPublica obtained a data set compiled by the Missouri Judiciary’s Office of
State Courts Administrator of all criminal charges filed under:
RSMo. § 191.677
The data set was provided to ProPublica on February 6, 2013
by:
Anne Dannerbeck Janku
Research Manager, Court Business Services
Office of State Courts Administrator
Missouri Judiciary
2112 Industrial Drive
P.O. Box 104480
Jefferson City, MO 65110
(573) 751-4377
[email protected]
NEBRASKA SUPREME
COURT
ProPublica obtained a data set compiled by the Nebraska
Supreme Court’s Administrative Office of the Courts of all criminal charges
filed under Neb. Rev. Stat. §
28-934(3) “Assault
with a bodily fluid against a public safety officer while positive for HIV,
hepatitis B, or hepatitis C”
The data set was provided to ProPublica on November 14, 2012
by:
William M. Miller
Deputy State Court Administrator
State Court Administrator’s Office
Nebraska Supreme Court
1445 K Street, 12th Fl.
Lincoln, NE 68508
(402) 471-3049
[email protected]
NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT
OF CORRECTIONS
ProPublica analyzed the New Jersey Department of
Corrections’ offender database to identify cases in which offenses:
2C:34-5 “DISEASED PRSN COMMITTNG SEXUAL PENETRATN”
The data set was provided to ProPublica on November 22, 2013
by:
John Falvey
Records Custodian
New Jersey Department of Corrections
Whittlesey Road
P.O. Box 863
Trenton, NJ 08625
(609) 292-9241
[email protected]
OHIO DEPT. OF
REHABILITATION AND CORRECTION
ProPublica analyzed the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation
and Correction’s offender database to identify cases in which offenses included
Ohio Rev. Code §§
2903.11(B)(1) “Felonious
Assault – sexual conduct without disclosing knowledge of HIV”;
2903.11(B)(2) “Felonious
Assault – victim lacks mental capacity of significance of HIV”;
2903.11(B)(3)
“Felonious Assault – not disclosing knowledge of HIV, victim under 18 years of
age”;
2907.24(B) “Soliciting
– knowledge person tested positive for HIV”;
2907.241(B)“Loitering
to Engage in Solicitation – knowledge person tested positive for HIV”;
2907.25(B) “Prostitution
after positive HIV test”;
2921.38(C) “Harassment
by Inmate – knowingly carries virus that causes AIDS, hepatitis virus, or
infected with tuberculosis and causes or attempts to cause other person to come
in contact with bodily substances”; or
2927.13 “Selling
or Donating Contaminated Blood (AIDS)”
The data set was provided to ProPublica on November 19, 2013
by:
Michelle Matheron
Data Administration Manager
Bureau of Information and Technology Services
Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
770 West Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43223
(614) 752-13066
[email protected]
OHIO DEPARTMENT OF
PUBLIC SAFETY
ProPublica obtained a data set compiled by the Ohio
Department of Public Safety’s Office of Criminal Justice Services of all
criminal incidents in which offenses included Ohio Rev. Code §§
2903.11(B)(1) “Felonious
Assault – sexual conduct without disclosing knowledge of HIV”;
2903.11(B)(2) “Felonious
Assault – victim lacks mental capacity of significance of HIV”;
2903.11(B)(3)
“Felonious Assault – not disclosing knowledge of HIV, victim under 18 years of
age”;
2907.24(B) “Soliciting
– knowledge person tested positive for HIV”;
2907.241(B)“Loitering
to Engage in Solicitation – knowledge person tested positive for HIV”;
2907.25(B) “Prostitution
after positive HIV test”;
2921.38(C) “Harassment
by Inmate – knowingly carries virus that causes AIDS, hepatitis virus, or
infected with tuberculosis and causes or attempts to cause other person to come
in contact with bodily substances”; or
2927.13 “Selling
or Donating Contaminated Blood (AIDS)”
The data set was provided to ProPublica on November 6, 2013
by:
Kristen Castle
Public Information Officer
Ohio Department of Public Safety
1970 W. Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43223
(614) 728-4623
[email protected]
OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT
OF CORRECTIONS
ProPublica analyzed the Oklahoma Department of Corrections’
offender database to identify cases in which offenses included 21 Okl. St. Ann.
§§
192.1 “Exposing
others to AIDS”; or
1031.B “Knowingly
engaging in prostitution while infected with HIV”
The data set was provided to ProPublica on November 15, 2013
by:
Jean-Marc Hache
Information Technology Administrator
Oklahoma Department of Corrections
3400 Martin Luther King Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK 73111
(405) 425-2547
[email protected]
SOUTH CAROLINA JUDICIAL
DEPARTMENT
ProPublica obtained a data set compiled by the South
Carolina Judicial Department’s Office of Court Administration identifying all
charges filed under offense code:
1561 “HIV/Exposing
another to HIV virus”
The data set was provided to ProPublica on November 14, 2012
by:
Sakoya R. Bryant
Court Representative
South Carolina Court Administration
1015 Sumter Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 734-1817
[email protected]
TENNESSEE BUREAU OF
INVESTIGATION
ProPublica analyzed Tennessee’s state’s sex offender
registry to identify cases in which offenses included violations of Tenn. Code
Ann. §
39-13-109 “Criminal
exposure to HIV, HBV, HCV”
The data set was provided to ProPublica on January 24, 2013
by:
Kristin Helm
Public Information Officer
Administration Division
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
901 R.S. Gass Blvd.
Nashville, TN
37216
(615) 744-4087
[email protected]
THE SERO PROJECT
ProPublica analyzed a set of public records obtained by the
Sero Project, a nonprofit HIV advocacy group. The Sero Project submitted these
requests to individual county prosecutors’ offices in states with HIV-specific
criminal laws. In some instances, prosecutors provided an aggregate tally of
HIV-related cases filed in their counties. Quality of responses was often
limited by prosecutors’ case management systems. Many prosecutors responded
that they did not track, or could not identify, cases by individual statute or
offense.
When key information was missing from the Sero Project’s
records, ProPublica followed up with prosecutors’ offices to collect additional
data. For 131 cases (in 28 counties), ProPublica’s requests for follow-up data
were not answered.
This data set was provided to ProPublica on November 10,
2012 by:
Sean Strub
Executive Director
The Sero Project
P.O. Box 1233
Milford, PA 18337
(646) 642-4915
[email protected]
OTHER
ProPublica independently identified supplemental cases using
local news reports and searches of legal databases (e.g., LexisNexis).
ProPublica verified these cases using public law enforcement records and
databases. Values for these sources in the DAT_SRC field are
denoted with the prefix “OTHER”:
Athens-Clarke County Police Department (GA)
Dougherty County Schools Police Department (GA)
Second District Court of Appeals (CA)
Calhoun County Health Department (MI)
Cleveland Metroparks Police Department (OH)
Cook County Sheriff’s Office (IL)
Missouri Case.net (courts.mo.gov) (MO)
Grand Traverse County Health Department (MI)
Indiana State Department of Health (IN)
Iowa Courts Online Search (iowacourts.gov)
Nebraska State Patrol (NE)
Shelby County Clerk (jssi.shelbycountytn.gov) (TN)
St. Louis Metro Police Department (MO)
