Criminal Profiling for Profit Kidnapping- Case Assessment Guidebook

Criminal Profiling for Profit Kidnapping- Case Assessment Guidebook

Investigator's Profile

The author is a psychologist and certified Investigator. His Crime Investigation Company deals with kidnapping cases primarily. The author is a Crime Analyst for InterPol. He received his education from University of California. He is certified in Crime Investigation by the State of California. Pschotherapy and post traumatic support to the affected is also extended by the author.

Aim of the Guidebook

The purpose of the guidebook is to, firstly, discuss kidnapping and its types and the use of criminal profiling, and secondly, to investigate by deductive method a particular disorganized case of kidnapping that also involved sexual assault and discuss the evidences for criminal profiling to be presented in court.

Introduction to Kidnapping

Kidnapping is defined, by Webster's Dictionary, as “to seize and detain a person unlawfully, usually for ransom”. The socialist Ernest Kahlax Alix has defined Kidnapping from a sociological perspective (Alix 1978 in Concannon 2013). Among the fifteen subcategories of kidnapping the type that involved a financial element was the dominant one. He, therefore, regards ransom kidnapping “the most visible among the types of unlawful taking” (Alix 1978 in Concannon 2013, p. n.d.).

Kidnapping is an ever-growing problem. Statistics for actual kidnapping events is impossible to obtain as many kidnapping cases are not reported for fear of the negative aftermath. If kidnapping cases decrease in a certain part of a world and equal increase is witnessed in other countries. Globalization has enabled kidnappers to remain up-to-date in matters of funding, technology and communication (Wright 2009).

After the Federal Kidnapping Act of 1932, that defined kidnapping, was passed, it was realized that kidnapping can have no single static definition. The purpose written in the definition was “ransom or reward”. Later “otherwise” was added to it to account for the various motivations as separate from financial gains (Concannon's 2013). The act of kidnapping is known by several terms. The terms abduction, illicit detention, hostage-taking and illegal privation of liberty are used to refer to kidnapping. It is to the benefit of the kidnaper that a standard definition of kidnapping does not exist (Wright 2009). One thing that is common is everywhere it is considered as a crime. In some places, local laws deal with the issue and in other religious laws look into the matter. Some religious laws permit kidnapping for religious purposes (Wright 2009).

Profit/ Ransom Kidnapping

Concannon defines profit kidnapping as kidnapping done for “actual or perceived gain” (2013) In ransom kidnapping people are forcefully taken in for the sake of ransom money. Several negotiations take place between the two parties, and the kidnappers are ultimately paid the ransom amount for the liberation of the kidnapped. There is no certain time limit for holding the individuals against his will. Kidnapping for a long term can vary from a few days to several months. The time period depends on the kidnappers and their location. Most kidnappings are for about a week or two months (Wright ...