NCJ Number
132891
Date Published
1991
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Between 300 and 400 kidnappings occur throughout the world each year, and Latin America is the principal region where kidnappings are carried out.
Abstract
The management of a kidnap negotiation involves the kidnappers, the victim, the family, police, the host government, security forces, the press, corporations, and lawyers. The policy of corporations is simple: save the victim's life. If the victim is a member of an organization or an employee of a corporation, the hostage resolution path taken by the organization or corporation may differ from that mandated by U.S. government policy. Liaison with law enforcement in the host country is critical, as well as knowing the methodology of terrorist groups. The word "communicator" is preferred over the term "negotiator." Negotiating in the general police/hostage/barricade situation is an entirely different process from negotiating a kidnap incident. Linguistic ability is a key quality that the communicator must have. About two-thirds of the time in kidnap cases, negotiating involves dealing with families and the press in addition to governments, law enforcement, and other participants. Because negotiations vary in time and intensity, it is important to know the victim's background and how well he or she can sustain captivity. All hostages examine their personal values at some point, and victims usually demonstrate moral fortitude that sustains them through the ordeal.