NCJ Number
57680
Date Published
1978
Length
21 pages
Annotation
THE METHODS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF KIDNAPERS AND OTHER HOSTAGE TAKERS ARE DISCUSSED, WITH REFERENCE TO WEST GERMAN CASES, AND POLICE TACTICS IN HOSTAGE-TAKING SITUATIONS ARE OUTLINED.
Abstract
TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN, THE DISCUSSION FOCUSES ON KIDNAPING, WITH OCCASIONAL REFERENCE TO HIJACKINGS AND TO BANK ROBBERIES INVOLVING HOSTAGES. THE ADVANTAGES OFFENDERS GAIN BY TAKING HOSTAGES ARE NOTED, AS ARE FACTORS CONSIDERED BY HOSTAGE TAKERS IN CHOOSING A TARGET, ABDUCTION SITE, HIDING PLACE, RANSOM TRANSFER POINT, AND RELEASE SITE. PROBLEMS FACED BY KIDNAPERS AND OTHER HOSTAGE TAKERS ONCE THEY HAVE THEIR HOSTAGES ARE CONSIDERED, WITH EMPHASIS ON FACTORS THAT DETERMINE THE SUCCESS OR FAILURE OF A KIDNAPPING ATTEMPT (E.G., PERSONAL INTERACTIONS OF COLLABORATORS). THE CHARACTERISTICS OF KIDNAPERS--AGE, EDUCATION, BACKGROUND, MOTIVES, DEGREE OF SOPHISTICATION--ARE DISCUSSED. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT A KIDNAPING OR OTHER HOSTAGE-TAKING SITUATION MAY BE A CAREFULLY PLANNED SCHEME, AN UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT DURING A ROBBERY, OR THE IMPULSIVE ACT OF INEXPERIENCED YOUTHS. THE CONSTANT DANGER THAT KIDNAPERS WILL LOSE CONTACT WITH REALITY DURING THE COURSE OF EVENTS, BECOME UNNERVED, AND FEEL CORNERED INTO KILLING THEIR HOSTAGE IS BROUGHT OUT. BASIC ELEMENTS OF POLICE WORK IN DEALING WITH HOSTAGE SITUATIONS, PARTICULARLY KIDNAPINGS, ARE DISCUSSED. THESE INCLUDE THE CREATION OF A SPECIAL TASK FORCE TO HANDLE EACH CASE, INVESTIGATION OF THE VICTIM'S BACKGROUND, EFFORTS TO ASSESS THE KIDNAPER'S PERSONALITY AND LIKELY REACTIONS, AND STRATEGIES FOR TAKING ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITIES TO APPREHEND THE KIDNAPER AND TO SECURE THE RELEASE OF THE HOSTAGE. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED. SEE NCJ-57679 FOR PART 1. (LKM)