NCJ Number
187370
Journal
Journal of Police Crisis Negotiations Volume: 1 Issue: 1 Dated: 2001 Pages: 99-111
Editor(s)
James L. Greenstone Ed.D.
Date Published
2001
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This article explores the role of criminal or psychological profiling by law enforcement in the hostage negotiation process with paranoid/suicidal cults.
Abstract
Crime analysis and personality profiling can support the cult hostage negotiation process. Criminal profiling is not a science, but an art based on experience and insight into human behavior. Understanding the behavior opens the door to the personality and possible successful negotiations. Behavioral personality profiling techniques can help hostage negotiators understand the motivation and behavior of the paranoid/charismatic oriented cult leader. The personality profile of the cult leader is power and control oriented with the possibility of resorting to suicidal behavior in order to maintain that control. Any structure that can help the investigator organize information about the offender may be helpful in identifying a pattern and apprehending the criminal cult leader. The psychological profile should include: background, attitudes, values, motivations and idiosyncracies. Examining the psychological factors may provide some possible insight by way of inductive reasoning that will support the negotiation process. References