NCJ Number
45070
Date Published
1978
Length
190 pages
Annotation
CHARACTERISTICS OF HOSTAGE TAKERS, SELECTION OF NEGOTIATORS, AND METHODS OF HANDLING HOSTAGE SITUATIONS EFFECTIVELY ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
PERPETRATORS IN HOSTAGE SITUATIONS ARE DESCRIBED -- WHO THEY ARE, WHAT MOTIVATES THEM, AND BY WHAT MEANS NEGOTIATORS MAY CHANGE THEIR BEHAVIOR. THE TYPE OF INDIVIDUAL BEST SELECTED TO SERVE AS A NEGOTIATOR, HOW SELECTION SHOULD BE MADE, AND SPECIFIC NEGOTIATION PROCEDURES TO SAFELY AND EFFECTIVELY RESOLVE THE SITUATION ARE ASSESSED. AN INTRODUCTION PROVIDES A SUMMARY OF MAJOR THEMES WHICH HAVE BEEN FOUND IN HOSTAGE NEGOTIATION. INCLUDING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE PERPETRATOR, THE SITUATION, TIME FACTORS, AND NEGOTIATION TACTICS. CASE STUDIES OF ACTUAL HOSTAGE SITUATIONS ARE PRESENTED, INCLUDING THE 1977 COTTON CASE IN SYRACUSE, NEW YORK; THE KIRITSIS CASE IN INDIANAPOLIS; THE 1977 HANAFI MUSLIM TAKEOVER IN WASHINGTON, D.C.; AND THE PATRICIA HEARST CASE. INTERVIEWS WITH HOSTAGES AND NEGOTIATORS, BACKGROUNDS OF THE PERPETRATORS, CHRONOLOGIES OF THE ACTUAL EVENTS, NEGOTIATION TACTICS, AND NEWS MEDIA COVERAGE ARE DISCUSSED. THE PROBLEMS AND METHODS OF DEALING WITH THE NEWS MEDIA'S PLACE IN HOSTAGE NEGOTIATION ARE EVALUATED IN DETAIL. HOSTAGE NEGOTIATION PROCEDURES ARE SYSTEMATICALLY LISTED AND INCLUDE SUCH CONSIDERATIONS AS NEGOTIATING STRATEGIES, INFORMATION TO BE OBTAINED, IDEAL NEGOTIATOR CHARACTERISTICS, CALMING THE PERPETRATOR AND BUILDING A RAPPORT WITH HIM, AND METHODS OF PERSUASION. GUIDELINES ARE PRESENTED FOR CONDUCTING A TRAINING COURSE FOR NEGOTIATORS, AND VARIOUS TEACHING METHODS ARE SUGGESTED. AN INSTRUMENT WHICH MAY BE USED IN THE SELECTION OF NEGOTIATOR TRAINEES IS APPENDED; IT INCLUDES AN APPLICATION FORM AND SEVEN TESTS. A SUBJECT LISTING OF SUGGESTED READINGS IN SUCH AREAS AS TERRORISM, POLICE TACTICS, AND PSYCHOLOGY IS PROVIDED. (VDA)