NCJ Number
68700
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 49 Issue: 5 Dated: (MAY 1980) Pages: 23-27
Date Published
1980
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE PSYCHOLOGICAL MOTIVATIONS OF PSYCHOPATHIC CRIMINAL INFORMANTS ARE EXPLORED TO AID INTERROGATING OFFICERS IN ACQUIRING INFORMATION AND ASSESSING ITS CREDIBILITY.
Abstract
CITIZENS HAVE A LEGAL OBLIGATION TO REPORT CRIME AND FURNISH INFORMATION BUT, IN PRACTICE, THIS LAW IS UNENFORCEABLE. THUS, THE INFORMANT SERVES VOLUNTARILY. THE BEST INFORMANTS ARE THOSE WHO ARE CRIMINALS THEMSELVES. STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT A LARGE PERCENTAGE (30 TO 40 PERCENT) OF OFFENDERS ARE PSYCHOPATHS, POSSESSING BOTH GOOD AND BAD INFORMANT QUALITIES. THEIR EGOCENTRICITY CAUSES THEM TO DIVULGE INFORMATION, AND THEIR LACK OF GUILT FEELINGS ENABLES THEM TO SPEAK FREELY ABOUT THEIR FRIENDS. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE SAME QUALITIES CAUSE DECEPTION AND SHOWING OFF, WHICH ARE HARD TO DETECT IN THE ABSENCE OF THE NERVOUSNESS USUALLY DISPLAYED WHEN LYING. FOR THIS REASON, ALL OF THE INFORMATION ACQUIRED FROM PSYCHOPATHIC CRIMINAL INFORMANTS HAS TO BE THOROUGHLY VERIFIED. KNOWLEDGE OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL MAKEUP OF PSYCHOPATHIC CRIMINALS IS HELPFUL IN MANIPULATING THEM TO ACQUIRE INFORMATION. LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS SHOULD REALIZE THE IMPORTANCE AND USEFULNESS OF INFORMANTS IN CRIME SOLUTION AND AVOID THE PREJUDICES HELD AGAINST SUCH PERSONS BY THE PUBLIC AND IN THE CRIMINAL WORLD. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED.