NCJ Number
63441
Date Published
1974
Length
8 pages
Annotation
PSYCHOLOGICAL FINDINGS FROM CASE STUDIES OF SKYJACKERS, ASPECTS OF DEALING WITH SKYJACKING, AND SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVED RESPONSE TO SKYJACKING ARE CONSIDERED IN THIS TESTIMONY ON TERRORISM.
Abstract
SIXTY CASE STUDIES OF SKYJACKERS REVEAL THAT THESE OFFENDERS HAVE SERIOUS PSYCHOLOGICAL MALADJUSTMENTS DESPITE BEING LEGALLY SANE. A NUMBER OF THE SUBJECTS HAVE MARKED IMBALANCE AND LIABILITY IN THE FUNCTIONING OF THEIR INNER EARS. STUDY CONTINUES ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THIS CONDITION AND ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR. THE CONCEPT OF THE 'PROSCONSCIOUS' ALSO HAS BEEN DEVELOPED; IT POSITS IN THE SKYJACKERS A SET OF FANTASIES WHICH AUTOMATICALLY AND CONTINUOUSLY GUIDE CONDUCT. THE CONDUCT HAS THE SUPERFICIAL APPEARANCE OF BEING INTELLIGENTLY DIRECTED. INSOFAR AS THE OUTWARD SKYJACKING BEHAVIOR IS PERCEIVED BY BOTH THE ACTOR AND WITNESSES AS BEING RATIONAL, A COMPLETE PROCONSCIOUS SYSTEM IS DEVELOPED. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE PUBLIC AND PERSONNEL LIKELY TO ENCOUNTER SKYJACKERS UNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF THE SKYJACKER'S FANTASIES SO THAT REACTIONS MAY NOT LEND CREDENCE TO THEIR PROCONSCIOUS. ASPECTS OF DEALING WITH SKYJACKING INCLUDE (1) PREVENTION (COUNTER ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE THE AIRPORT ITSELF DESIGNED TO DISCOURAGE THE SKYJACKING IMPULSE); (2) CONTROL (AIRPORT POLICE TECHNIQUES TO DETECT THE POTENTIAL OFFENDER AND DISCOURAGE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A SKYJACKING PLAN); (3) MANAGEMENT (ATTITUDES OF THE AIR CREW AFTER A SKYJACKING PLAN HAS BEEN INITIATED); AND (4) DISPOSITION (LEGAL MEDICAL-PSYCHIATRIC OPERATIONS RELATED TO THE DISPOSITION AND TREATMENT OF THE OFFENDER AFTER APPREHENSION AND LEGAL PROCESSING). THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD FUND RESEARCH EFFORTS REGARDING SKYJACKING AND TERRORISM IN GENERAL, AND FINDINGS SHOULD BE THE BASIS FOR DEVELOPING MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAMS TRAINED TO DEAL WITH TERRORISTS. (RCB)