Crime Triangle of Kidnapping for Ransom Incidents in Colombia, South America: A 'Litmus' Test for Situational Crime Prevention

• NCJ Number: 248170
• Journal: British Journal of Criminology Volume: 54 Issue: 5 Dated: September 2014 Pages: 784-808
• Author(s): Stephen F. Pires; Rob T. Guerette; Christopher H. Stubbert
• Date Published: September 2014
• Length: 25 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

Based on an examination of 9,696 kidnapping incidents that occurred in Colombia (South America) between 2002 and 2011, this study determined whether kidnappings for ransom exhibited similar concentrations according to the "crime triangle" network of victims, offenders, and places.

Abstract

Study findings indicate that the kidnappings had spatio-temporal and other concentrations that could be used to guide policymakers and policing organizations in the design of preventive actions. Twenty percent of Colombia's municipalities experienced nearly 80 percent of overall kidnapping incidents. Offender groups tended to operate in areas with which they were most familiar. There were variations across victim population of minors, females, and males. A table summarizes key findings on place/locations, victims, and offenders, along with matched response strategies and methods/techniques of implementation. Response strategies relevant to place/location findings include the provision of international development aid and national allocation of resources to the highest 20 percent of municipalities experiencing kidnappings. Security provision should be allocated to high-risk hot spots. This would include the use of formal surveillance and environmental design (CCTVs, barriers, street lights, etc.). Regarding potential kidnap victims, risk -based measures should be undertaken. These would include the promotion of citizen-instigated alert systems in the event of abduction, education programs tailored to victim risk profiles, targeted media awareness campaigns, and the use of GPS locator loaner systems for at-risk victims. Regarding response strategies tailored to offender profiles,, there should be a tip-line reward system for information leading to the return of a kidnap victim, focused deterrence messages for offender groups, and the facilitation of legitimate employment opportunities for offender groups. 4 tables, 57 references, and appended listing of kidnapping victims' professions, categories and frequencies