NCJ Number
84325
Date Published
1981
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This discussion of the investigator at a hostage scene considers the major roles of the investigator as negotiator, intelligence gatherer, and evidence gatherer.
Abstract
Negotiation tactics in hostage situations should be partly determined by the type of hostage-taker. General types of hostage-takers are the criminal, who takes hostages as a means of escape; the mentally disturbed; and the terrorist. Advice for negotiations is as follows: (1) slow everything down; (2) weapons are not negotiable; (3) hostages should not be substituted; (4) try to get something in return for each demand; (5) avoid unnecessary lies; (6) be careful about using friends or relatives to negotiate; (7) face-to-face negotiation is the most effective and the most dangerous form of negotiation; (8) nourish the hopes of the hostage-taker; (9) avoid deadlines; (10) avoid extremes; (11) do not talk to hostages; (12) do not offer suggestions to the hostage-taker; (13) command of the hostage scene should go to the senior officer present; and (14) even if a hostage is executed, assaultive actions must be carefully assessed in the areas of need and chances of success. Investigators may or may not be involved in the actual negotiations, but they will be expected to gather intelligence needed by the negotiators. This includes obtaining as much information as possible on the hostage-taker, the hostages, and the hostage scene. When the emergency is over, the traditional investigative phase of the incident will assume priority. This will include seeing that the crime scene is preserved, that photos are taken, and the evidence is collected and safeguarded. The handling of physical evidence is the responsibility of the investigator. Witnesses' statements must be taken, as well as those of released hostages.