Social psychological dynamics of hostage negotiation: forensic psychology, suicide intervention, police intelligence/counterintelligence, and tactical entry
| Date | 01 February 2016 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JCP-01-2016-0001 |
| Published date | 01 February 2016 |
| Pages | 16-27 |
| Author | Gordon James Knowles |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Criminology & forensic psychology,Criminal psychology |
Social psychological dynamics of hostage
negotiation: forensic psychology, suicide
intervention, police intelligence/
counterintelligence, and tactical entry
Gordon James Knowles
Gordon James Knowles is
based at the Programs of
Administration of Justice
and Sociology,
Honolulu Community
College –University of Hawaii,
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to review several major components of hostage negotiation
including: the different types of hostage situations; the prediction of the behavioral patterns of the hostage
taker; the collection and the use of police intelligence in hostage incidents; and the application of forensic
psychology during the hostage negotiations process.
Design/methodology/approach –Emphasis on the social psychological aspects of creating attitude
change and gaining compliance with the hostage taker are introduced to assist in developing an effective
crisis communication approach during the hostage negotiations process.
Findings –The paper also discusses trends in hostage negotiation strategies within incidents of domestic
violence, suicide by cop, school shootings, and suicide/homicide bombings.
Practical implications –Limitations and advancements in the field of hostage negotiations are also
discussed as well as suggestions for the use of tactical entry to resolve unsuccessful hostage negotiations.
Social implications –Explores the current trend of “suicide by cop,”but also introduces the concept of
homicide by cop in relation to police shootings.
Originality/value –The use of criminal psychology in developing hostage negotiation strategies to
engage hostage takers with personality disorders, PTSD, paranoid schizophrenia, and suicidal depression is
also discussed.
Keywords PTSD, Forensic psychology, Homicide by cop, Hostage negotiations, Police intelligence,
Suicide intervention
Paper type Research paper
1. Introduction to hostage negotiations
The intent of this paper is to provide the law enforcement officer with an understanding of the
essential elements of the hostage negotiation process in order to have resolution that involves:
no unnecessary loss of life; reduced stress on police, trained negotiators, and the tactical entry
team; reduced legal, financial, and/or political liability to the police department; and favorable
community opinion and media coverage reflecting the ability of police officers to effectively and
quickly resolve hostage incidents. The success of crisis negotiations has made it a valuable asset
in police procedures that aim to preserve human life, even under the most dire circumstances
(Sarno and Van Hasselt, 2014). Hostage negotiators are taught a wide variety of skills: stress and
stress management, demands and demand characteristics, using time effectively, dealing with
victims and family, operational and emotional debriefing, equipment needs and usage
Received 18 January 2016
Revised 22 January 2016
Accepted 23 January 2016
This research was presented at the
annual meeting of the Pacific
Sociological Associationheld at the
SheratonSan Diego Hotel and
Marina inSan Diego, Californiafor
the regularsession panel on Crime
and Delinquency on March23,
2012. Thispaper was presented at
the annualmeeting of the Western
Societyof Criminology held at the
Ala MoanaHotel in Waikiki, Hawaii
for the regularsession panel on
Emerging Issues in Forensics and
CriminalInvestigation on February 8,
2014. Theseresearch findings were
presented at the annual meeting of
The Societyfor Police and Criminal
Psychologyheld at the Flamingo
Hotel and Casinoin Las Vegas,
Nevada forthe regular session
panel on Forensic Psychologyon
September 19, 2014.
PAG E 16
j
JOURNAL OF CRIMINAL PSYCHOLOGY
j
VOL. 6 NO. 1 2016, pp. 16-27, © Emerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 2009-3829 DOI 10.1108/JCP-01-2016-0001
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