July 2012

Psychopathy July 2012 Volume 81 Number 7

United States Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation Washington, DC 20535-0001 Robert S. Mueller III Director Contributors’ opinions and statements Features should not be considered an endorsement by the FBI for any policy, program, or service. The attorney general has determined Understanding the mind of psychopaths that the publication of this periodical An Important Forensic and assessing their personality and is necessary in the transaction of the 3 behavioral traits can help authorities public business required by law. Use Concept for the 21st Century of funds for printing this periodical has design more effective interviewing been approved by the director of the strategies. Office of Management and Budget. The FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin (ISSN-0014-5688) is published Looking Behind the Mask With proper preparation, knowledge, monthly by the Federal Bureau of and understanding of psychopathy, Investigation, 935 Pennsylvania Implications for 14 Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. Interviewing Psychopaths interviewers can recognize a true 20535-0001. Periodicals postage paid psychopathic personality. at Washington, D.C., and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to Editor, FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, FBI Academy, Quantico, VA 22135. The Language of A study using human coders found Psychopaths differences in the speech of psychopaths Editor 28 and nonpsychopaths. John E. Ott New Findings and Implications Associate Editors for Law Enforcement Eric A. D’Orazio Linda L. Fresh David W. MacWha Art Director Stephanie L. Lowe

The Training Division’s Outreach and Communications Unit Departments produces this publication with assistance from the division’s National Academy Unit. 9 Perspective 20 Case Study Issues are available online at http://www.fbi.gov. The Predator No More Bagpipes

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Send article submissions to Editor, FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, FBI Academy, Quantico, VA 22135.

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Psychopathy An Important Forensic Concept for the 21st Century By PAUL BABIAK, M.S., Ph.D.; JORGE FOLINO, M.D., Ph.D.; JEFFREY HANCOCK, Ph.D.; ROBERT D. HARE, Ph.D.; MATTHEW LOGAN, Ph.D., M.Ed.; ELIZABETH LEON MAYER, Ph.D.; J. REID MELOY, Ph.D.; HELINÄ HÄKKÄNEN-NYHOLM, Ph.D.; MARY ELLEN O’TOOLE, Ph.D.; ANTHONY PINIZZOTTO, Ph.D.; STEPHEN PORTER, Ph.D.; SHARON SMITH, Ph.D.; and MICHAEL WOODWORTH, Ph.D.

ver the years, Hollywood has provided many examples of psychopaths. As a result, psy- Ochopaths often are identified as scary people who look frightening or have other off-putting char- acteristics. In , a psychopath can be anyone— a neighbor, coworker, or homeless person. Each of these seemingly harmless people may prey continually on others around them. Psychopathy and The term psychopathy refers to a personality disor- der that includes a cluster of interpersonal, affective, lifestyle, and antisocial traits and behaviors.1 These involve ; manipulation; irresponsibility; im- pulsivity; stimulation seeking; poor behavioral controls; shallow ; lack of , , or ; sexual promiscuity; callous disregard for the rights of others; and unethical and antisocial behaviors.2 Psychopathy is the most dangerous of the personality disorders. To understand it, one must know some fundamental principles about personality. Individuals’ personalities repre- sent who they are; they result from genetics and upbringing and reflect how persons view the world and think the world views them. Personalities dictate how people interact with others and

July 2012 / 3 how they cope with problems, their actions and find a way to or, even, and target both real and imagined. Individ- shift the to someone or retirees to charm them out of uals’ personalities develop and something else. their life savings for a high-risk evolve until approximately their investment scam, later blam- late 20s, after which they are Chameleons and Predators ing them for being too trusting. well-hardwired in place, unable In general, psychopaths are Most psychopaths are skilled to be altered. glib and charming, and they use at camouflage through decep- these attributes to manipulate tion and manipulation, as well Traits and Characteristics others into trusting and believ- as and locating areas Psychopathy is apparent in ing in them. This may lead to where there is an endless sup- a specific cluster of traits and people giving them money, ply of victims.5 The psychopath characteristics (see table 1). voting them into office, or, pos- is an intraspecies predator, These traits, ultimately, define sibly, being murdered by them. and peoples’ visceral reaction adult psychopathy and begin Because of their interpersonal to them—“they made the hair to manifest themselves in early stand up on my neck”—is an childhood.3 The lifelong ex- early warning system driven by pression of this disorder is a of being prey to a predator.6 product of complex interactions The psychopath’s egocen- between biological and tem- Psychopaths can tricity and need for power and peramental predispositions and be adept at control are the perfect ingredi- social forces—in other words, imitating emotions ents for a lifetime of antisocial the ways in which nature and “that they believe and criminal activity. The ease nurture shape and define each will mitigate their with which a psychopath can other.4 . engage in holds signifi- Many psychopaths exhibit cance for society and law en- a profound lack of remorse forcement. Often, psychopaths for their aggressive actions, are shameless in their actions both violent and nonviolent, against others, whether it is along with a corresponding prowess, most psychopaths can murdering someone in a cal- lack of empathy for their vic- present themselves favorably culated, cold-blooded manner, tims. This central psychopathic on a first impression, and many manipulating law enforcement concept enables them to act in function successfully in society.” during an interview, or claiming a cold-blooded manner, using Many of the attitudes and remorse for actions, but blam- those around them as pawns to behaviors of psychopaths have ing the victim for the . achieve goals and satisfy needs a distinct predatory quality to This particularly proves true in and desires, whether sexual, fi- them. Psychopaths see others cases involving sexual offenders nancial, physical, or emotional. as either competitive predators who are psychopathic. Most psychopaths are grandi- or prey. To understand how If psychopaths commit a ho- ose, selfish sensation seekers psychopaths achieve their goals, micide, their killing likely will who lack a moral compass—a it is important to see them as be planned and purposeful, not —and go through classic predators. For instance, the result of a loss of emotional life taking what they want. They they surf the Internet looking control; their motive more do not accept responsibility for for attractive persons to con commonly will involve sadistic

4 / FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin gratification.7 When faced with them to pursue their own inter- When these professionals overwhelming evidence of their ests. They also are not out of encounter psychopathy in guilt, they frequently will claim touch with reality. They rarely the course of their work, they lost control or were in a become psychotic unless they their reaction and response rage when committing the act of also have a separate mental ill- to the psychopath may be too violence. In fact, their violence ness or use powerful drugs, such little and too late. Their lack of often is emotionless, calculated, as stimulants. These hallmarks information can lead to serious and completely controlled.8 If of genuine mental illness might consequences, ranging from psychopaths commit a serious be proposed during a criminal mishandling the strategy for crime with another individual defense, but they often are interviews and to (almost always a nonpsycho- successfully challenged at trial. believing a psychopath’s com- path), they often will avoid cul- Although usually manageable, plete fabrications as seemingly pability by using the other indi- psychopathy is not curable. plausible explanations. vidual to take the blame for the offense. Evidence suggests © shutterstock.com Assessment Tool that this particular strategy Following on approxi- is even more evident in mately 40 years of empirical serious multiple-perpetrator research, the Psychopa- offences committed by a thy Checklist-Revised, or psychopathic youth with a PCL-R, has emerged as an nonpsychopathic partner.9 ideal tool for the assess- ment of this personality Myth Busting disorder. Specific scoring Many misconceptions criteria rate each of 20 about psychopaths can lead items on a 3-point scale to mistakes in investiga- (0, 1, 2) according to the tions, interviews, and court extent that it applies to a proceedings. Psychopaths Presence In Society given individual. This test are both male and female, but Many psychopaths have allows for a maximum score more men are psychopaths little difficulty joining the of 40; a score of 30 designates than women. They represent all ranks of business, politics, law someone as a psychopath. The races, cultures, and socioeco- enforcement, government, and average nonpsychopath will nomic backgrounds. Some are academia.10 They exist in all score around 5 or 6 on this intelligent, while others possess lines of work, from executive test. White-collar or corporate average or below-average intel- to blue-collar professions. psychopaths likely will score ligence. They come from both However, psychopathy often lower—in the middle 20s—and single- and two-parent house- is misread, misdiagnosed, sexually deviant psychopaths holds and may themselves be minimized, or explained away will tend to score higher.11 married with children. by professionals whose jobs Psychopaths differ from Psychopaths understand require regular interaction with each other, and their condition right from wrong. They know psychopaths, namely in the can vary in severity. Current re- they are subject to society’s mental health, judicial, and search suggests a continuum of rules, but willingly disregard law enforcement communities. psychopathy ranging from those

July 2012 / 5 Table 1 Traits and Characteristics of Psychopathy Interpersonal Affective Lifestyle Antisocial

Glib and superficial Lack of remorse/guilt Stimulation seeking Poor behavior controls charm Grandiose sense Shallow affect Early behavior problems of self-worth Callous lack of Irresponsible empathy Conning and Failure to accept Parasitic orientation Revocation of manipulation responsibility conditional release

Lack of realistic Criminal versatility goals

Robert D. Hare, Hare -Revised, 2nd ed. (, ON: Multi-Health Systems, 2003). who are highly psychopathic appears to be less situation- offenders are 2.43 times more to persons who have the al and more directed toward likely to be released than their same number or fewer traits particular goals than the type nonpsychopathic counterparts, in a milder form. A clinical of violence displayed by non- while psychopathic offenders assessment of psychopathy psychopaths.13 It is estimated charged with other are is based on the person hav- that approximately 1 percent 2.79 times more likely to be ing the full cluster of psycho- of the general male population released.16 Their acting ability pathic traits—at least to some are psychopaths, and 15 to 20 can enable them to frequently degree—based on a pattern of percent of the popula- manipulate and persuade mem- lifetime behaviors. tion are psychopathic.14 bers of a board to release Many psychopaths are not Given the risk that psycho- them approximately 2.5 times violent. However, those who pathic offenders pose for soci- faster than other offenders up display violence and sexual ety, their ability to potentially for parole, despite their longer are generally more manipulate the authorities list of offenses and elevated dangerous than other offend- poses concern. Psychopathic risk.17 Psychopaths can be ers, and their likelihood of re- killers more likely will deny adept at imitating emotions that offending may be significant- charges brought against them, they believe will mitigate their ly higher.12 Psychopaths tend to and some indication exists that punishment.18 have longer, more varied, and they are able to manipulate Research suggests that the more serious criminal histories the system to linguistic patterns of psycho- and, overall, are more consist- receive reduced sentences and paths are unique compared with ently violent than nonpsycho- appeal sentences to a higher the patterns of nonpsychopaths. paths. Their use of violence court.15 Also, psychopathic sex Their stylistic differences

6 / FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin reflect how they view the the current official Diagnostic other security-related profes- world around them, as well and Statistical Manual of Men- sions must understand psychop- as their profound emotional tal Disorders (DSM) diagnosis athy and its implications. deficit and detachment from for the chronically antisocial, Psychopathy has been emotional events.19 However, will meet the criteria for severe described as the single most psychopaths’ lack of feeling psychopathy. In DSM’s upcom- important clinical construct in and bonding to others allows ing fifth edition, psychopathy the criminal justice system.20 them to have clarity in observ- will become one of five dimen- More recently, it is considered ing the behavior of their prey. sions for describing a person- “the most important forensic They do not get caught in or ality disorder, receiving the of- concept of the early 21st cen- bogged down by the ficial diagnostic blessing of tury.”21 Because of its relevance and emotions that other people American after ap- to law enforcement, , experience in social situations. proximately one-half century the courts, and others working of research. in related fields, the need to Victims understand psychopathy can- The reactions of psycho- not be overstated. This includes paths to the damage they inflict knowing how to identify psy- most likely will be cool indif- chopaths, the damage they can ference and a sense of power, The ease with cause, and how to deal with pleasure, or smug satisfaction, which a psychopath them more effectively. rather than or concern. can engage in violence Most people closely associ- “holds significance for Endnotes ated with a psychopath may society and law 1 Robert D. Hare and Matthew H. know something is wrong with enforcement. Logan, “Criminal Psychopathy: An Intro- that person, but have no idea duction for Police,” in The of as to the depth of the pathol- Criminal Investigations: The Search for the Truth, ed. Michel St-Yves and Michel ogy. They frequently will Tanguay (Cowansville, QC: Editions Yvon blame themselves for all of the Blais, 2009). problems they have had with a Understanding the minds 2 Hare and Logan, “Criminal Psychopa- psychopath, whether at work, thy: An Introduction for Police.” of psychopaths and their per- 3 in a relationship, or within a Paul J. Frick and Monica A. Marsee, sonality and behavioral traits “Psychopathy and Developmental Path- family. After interacting with ” allows authorities to design ways to Antisocial Behavior in Youth,” in psychopaths, most people are strategies that more likely will Handbook of Psychopathy, ed. Christopher stunned by these individuals’ work with them. Psychopaths’ J. Patrick (, NY: Guilford Press, ruthlessness, callousness, and manipulative nature can make 2006), 353-374; and Donald R. Lynam, or minimization of the “Early Identification of Chronic Offend- it difficult for officers to obtain ers: Who is the Fledgling Psychopath?” damage they have caused. accurate information from Psychological Bulletin 120, no. 2 (1996): them unless the law enforce- 209-234. Conclusion ment interviewer has been 4 Angus W. MacDonald III and William Psychopathy is not a diag- educated in specific strategies G. Iacono, “Toward an Integrated Perspec- tive on the Etiology of Psychopathy,” in nosis. About one-third of indi- for questioning a psychopath. Handbook of Psychopathy, ed. Christopher viduals in prison deemed “anti- Professionals working in law J. Patrick (New York, NY: Guilford Press, social personality disordered,” enforcement, corrections, and 2006), 375-385.

July 2012 / 7 About the Authors

Dr. Babiak is a business author, internation- 5 Dewey G. Cornell, Janet Warren, 12 Grant T. Harris, Marnie E. Rice, al speaker, and consultant to executives and Gary Hawk, Ed Stafford, Guy Oram, and Vernon L. Quinsey, Martin L. Lalumière, organizations on leadership development Denise Pine, “Psychopathy in Instrumental Douglas Boer, and Carol Lang, “A Multi- issues and the corporate psychopath. and Reactive Violent Offenders,” Journal site Comparison of Actuarial Risk Instru- Dr. Folino is a professor of psychiatry at the of Consulting and ments for Sex Offenders,” Psychological National University of La Plata, Argentina. 64, no. 4 (August 1996): 783-790; J. Reid Assessment 15, no. 3 (2003): 413-425. Meloy, The Psychopathic Mind: Origins, 13 Stephen Porter, Leanne ten Brinke, Dr. Hancock is an associate professor at Dynamics, and Treatment (Northvale, NJ: and Kevin Wilson, “Crime Profiles and Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Jason Aronson, 1988); and Michael Wood- Conditional Release Performance of Psy- worth and Stephen Porter, “In Cold Blood: chopathic and Nonpsychopathic Sexual Dr. Hare is a professor emeritus of psychol- Characteristics of Criminal Homicides as Offenders,” Legal and Criminological ogy at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, and a psychopathy researcher. a Function of Psychopathy,” Journal of Psychology 14, no. 1 (February 2009): Abnormal Psychology 111, no. 3 (2002): 109-118. Dr. Logan, a retired staff sergeant with the 14 436-445. Robert D. Hare, “Psychopaths and Royal Canadian Mounted Police and a 6 J. Reid Meloy and M.J. Meloy, “Auto- Their Nature: Implications for the Mental psychologist, provides forensic behavioral nomic Arousal in the Presence of Psy- Health and Criminal Justice Systems,” in consultation and training for the law enforce- chopathy: A Survey of Mental Health and Psychopathy: Antisocial, Criminal, and ment and criminal justice communities. Criminal Justice Professionals,” Journal of Violent Behavior, ed. Theodore Millon, Threat Assessment 2, no.2 (2002): 21-34. Erik Simonsen, Morten Birket-Smith, and Dr. Mayer is a member of the psychiatric department at the National University of La 7 Meloy, The Psychopathic Mind: Roger D. Davis (New York, NY: Guilford Plata, Argentina. Origins, Dynamics, and Treatment; and Press, 1998), 188-212. 15 Stephen Porter and Michael Woodworth, Helinä Häkkänen-Nyholm and Dr. Meloy is a consultant, researcher, writer, “Psychopathy and ,” in Hand- Robert D. Hare, “Psychopathy, Homicide, and teacher. He serves as a faculty member book of Psychopathy, ed. Christopher J. and the Courts: Working the System,” with the University of California, San Diego, Patrick (New York, NY: Guilford Press, Criminal Justice and Behavior 36, no. 8 School of Medicine and the San Diego 2006), 481-494. (2009): 761-777. Psychoanalytic Institute. 8 Mary Ellen O’Toole, “Psychopathy 16 Porter, ten Brinke, and Wilson, Dr. Häkkänen-Nyholm, a profiler at the as a Behavior Classification System for “Crime Profiles and Conditional Release Finnish National Bureau of Investigation, Violent and Serial Crime Scenes,” in The Performance of Psychopathic and Non- currently is the CEO of a psychology and Psychopath: Theory, Research, and Prac- psychopathic Sexual Offenders.” law firm. tice, ed. Hugues Hervé and John C. Yuille 17 Porter, ten Brinke, and Wilson, (Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum and As- “Crime Profiles and Conditional Release Dr. O’Toole has served with the FBI’s Be- sociates, 2007), 301-325; and Woodworth Performance of Psychopathic and Non- havioral Analysis Unit and is a private foren- and Porter, “In Cold Blood: Characteristics psychopathic Sexual Offenders.” sic behavioral consultant and an instructor of Criminal Homicides as a Function of 18 Meloy, The Psychopathic Mind: at the FBI Academy. Psychopathy.” Origins, Dynamics, and Treatment. Dr. Pinizzotto, a retired FBI senior scien- 9 19 Woodworth and Porter, “In Cold Robert D. Hare, “Psychopathy, tist, is a clinical forensic psychologist who Blood: Characteristics of Criminal Homi- Affect, and Behavior,” in Psychopathy: privately consults for law enforcement and cides as a Function of Psychopathy.” Theory, Research, and Implications for other criminal justice agencies. 10 Paul Babiak, “When Psychopaths Society, ed. David J. Cooke, Adelle E. Go to Work,” Applied Psychology: An Forth, and Robert D. Hare (Dordrecht, Dr. Porter is a professor of psychology and International Review 44, no. 2 (1995):171- The Netherlands: Kluwer, 1998), the founding director of the Centre for the 188; and Paul Babiak and Robert D. Hare, 105-137. Advancement of Psychological Science and Law at the University of British Columbia, Snakes in Suits: When Psychopaths Go 20 Robert D. Hare, “Psychopathy: Okanagan. to Work (New York, NY: Harper/Collins, A Clinical Construct Whose Time Has 2006). Come,” Criminal Justice and Behavior Dr. Smith, a retired special agent with the 11 Robert D. Hare, Hare Psychopathy 23, no. 1 (March 1996): 25-54. FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit, is a consul- Checklist-Revised, 2nd ed. (Toronto, ON: 21 John Monahan, comments on cover tant on criminal and corporate psychopathy Multi-Health Systems, 2003); and Babiak jacket of Handbook of Psychopathy, ed. for - and security-related govern- and Hare, Snakes in Suits: When Psycho- Christopher J. Patrick (New York, NY: ment and law enforcement agencies. paths Go to Work. Guilford Press, 2006). Dr. Woodworth is a registered psychologist and an associate professor at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan.

8 / FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Perspective

The Predator When the Stalker Is a Psychopath By Sharon S. Smith, Ph.D., Mary Ellen O’Toole, Ph.D., and Robert D. Hare, Ph.D.

© shutterstock.com

amuel Brown was a top executive of a For- Brown died a painful death just days after he Stune 500 company.1 Although he had a net was kidnapped. Yet, over the next several weeks, worth of nearly $10 million, he was a family man Lake and his accomplice victimized the Brown with simple tastes and eschewed the trappings of family with an elaborate extortion scheme. They power and wealth. Brown was a low-risk victim made numerous phone calls and sent a number for violence. He resided with his wife in an af- of detailed ransom notes to the victim’s family fluent neighborhood where seemed and employer, demanding $12 million for his safe nonexistent. release. Nearly 3 months following the abduction, One morning, as was his custom, Brown Samuel Brown’s decomposed body was found in dressed, left his home, tossed his briefcase into his a shallow grave. car, and started the engine. As he walked to the end of his driveway to retrieve the morning paper, An- STALKING thony Lake jumped out of a nearby van and drew This case study examines the implications of his gun. In the ensuing struggle, Lake fired his gun, psychopathy in crime scene analyses, specifically wounding Brown, then shoved him into the van of stalking, threatening, and attendant assaultive and drove away. Lake’s female accomplice, tasked behaviors. The study also illustrates specific to drive a second (getaway) car, left the scene at crime scene behaviors that suggest an offender the same time. with psychopathic personality traits, as well as

July 2012 / 9 the implications of these traits for investigators. and with his mouth covered with tape, Brown Psychopaths’ need for sensation seeking would be was kept in an unventilated room estimated to embedded in the design of their crime and emerge reach temperatures in excess of 100°F. Brown’s as a high-risk behavior. only sustenance was water, and his only Psychopaths’ stalking behaviors tend to be relief for his gunshot wound was over-the-counter predatory or instrumental in nature. The victim is medication. Although Lake later insisted that he viewed more as a possession or target for control, always intended to release Brown upon receipt of retribution, or revenge, rather than as the object the ransom, his victim died a few days after the of a pathologically based , obsession, or abduction. infatuation.2 Further, psychopaths tend to become bored rather quickly and are thought to engage in ANALYZING THE CRIME short-term stalking with financial goals or those The authors have not made a formal clinical related to power and control. diagnosis of Lake. Instead, they discuss specific Though most investi- crime scene and offender be- gators are not qualified to haviors in terms of how they conduct a formal clinical interpret them as characteris- evaluation for the presence tics of psychopathy. of psychopathy, even a few “…failure to correctly Predatory and traits and behaviors inferred from the crime scene analy- interpret signs of Instrumental Violence sis may prove sufficient to psychopathic traits Evidence from the crime generate a working hypoth- could significantly and indicated that the offender esis that the perpetrator of negatively impact the had surveilled Brown over a the crime is psychopathic. outcome of a case.... period of time to obtain infor- False positives concerning mation about his habits, life- the potential presence of style, and neighborhood. The psychopathy during a stalk- did not identify ing or threat investigation ” Lake’s abduction of Brown are unlikely to adversely as reactive violence—an im- affect the outcome of the investigation. However, mediate reaction to some real or perceived threat failure to correctly interpret signs of psychopathic he might have felt. Instead, the primary mode of traits could significantly and negatively impact the violence appeared thoughtful, premeditated, and outcome of a case, even to the extent of compro- goal directed, therefore instrumental or predatory. mising the well-being of victims. Lake’s goal was to kidnap Brown, a high-value tar- get, and extort his family and company for money. VICTIMIZATION However, during the abduction, Brown was shot in Lake spent a great deal of time, effort, and the arm while struggling, a violent subact by Lake personal resources while planning his crime. He that appeared to have elements of both reactive and watched Brown’s house for months, recorded his instrumental violence. routine, and carefully planned the kidnapping down to the smallest detail. Once he abducted High-Value, High-Risk Target Brown, Lake put him in a coffinlike box he already Selecting Brown as a high-value target offered had constructed. Bound with ropes, blindfolded, Lake the possibility of a large financial payoff

10 / FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Further Reading

Dewey G. Cornell, Janet Warren, Gary Hawk, Ed Stafford, Guy Oram, and Denise Pine, “Psychopathy in Instrumental and Reactive Violent Offenders,” Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 64, no. 4 (August 1996). Robert D. Hare, Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths Among Us (New York, NY: Guilford Press, 1999). Robert D. Hare and Matthew H. Logan, “Criminal Psychopathy: An Introduction for Police,” in The Psychology of Criminal Investigations: The Search for the Truth, ed. Michel St-Yves and Michel Tanguay (Cowansville, QC: Editions Yvon Blais, 2009). Mary Ellen O’Toole, “Psychopathy as a Behavior Classification System for Violent and Serial Crime Scenes,” in The Psychopath: Theory, Research, and Practice, ed. Hugues Hervé and John C. Yuille (Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum and Associates, 2007), 301-325. Michael Woodworth and Stephen Porter, “In Cold Blood: Characteristics of Criminal Ho- micides as a Function of Psychopathy,” Journal of Abnormal Psychology 111, no. 3 (2002): 436-445. and media . However, executing such an Targeting a lesser known or less important indi- abduction was high-risk for the kidnappers. Their vidual would not have generated such a response plan was fraught with inherent difficulties in terms and, as a result, likely would have been less excit- of realistically assessing how the victim would ing for him. react and maintaining him over a period of time while avoiding detection and arrest. No Guilt and Callous Lack of Empathy Brown’s abduction occurred in daylight in Brown lay tied up in a wooden box for several front of his residence, located in an exclusive days after his kidnapping, entombed in a swelter- neighborhood with a low violent crime rate. Lake ing storage area and dying in his own waste of a could not have prepared for all possible variables gunshot wound. At the same time, news reports and scenarios that could interrupt his plan that mentioned that he was a heart patient and relied morning, despite his prior surveillances. By select- on regular prescription medication. Brown did not ing that place and time for the abduction, he put have this medicine while in captivity, and Lake himself in the victim’s comfort zone and risked made no effort to obtain it for him. Lake’s treat- identification or apprehension. ment of the victim showed a significant lack of empathy and demonstrated the extent of the physi- Sensation Seeking and cal and emotional pain inflicted. Completing this crime, obtaining the money, During the investigation, Brown’s wife made and evading capture and prosecution were unreal- several emotional appeals through the media for istic goals and grandiose in design. Kidnapping a her husband’s safe release. Despite these appeals high-value target certainly would trigger a quick and Brown’s death just days after his abduction, and powerful response from the media and the law Lake continued the extortion for weeks. However, enforcement community, including the FBI. Lake the tone and content of his demands changed sub- probably was thrilled with this type of attention. tly after Brown’s death. He no longer provided

July 2012 / 11 current evidence of Brown’s well-being, such as a pay phone. While arresting Lake, they found having him audiotape the headlines of the daily incriminating evidence in his car, including paper. Nonetheless, Lake continued his demands Brown’s home address and bags for holding the for money using his deceased victim as a pawn. extortion money. Although Lake refused to co- In his demands, Lake maintained that he would operate with authorities, his female companion release Brown safely once the money was paid. eventually led them to Brown’s body. Despite his This callous and deceptive behavior showed little callous treatment of Brown and his family, Lake regard for the victim or the impact of the crime on portrayed himself to the authorities as a normal Brown’s family or community, which was follow- person driven to desperate measures because of ing the case closely. circumstances beyond his control. Antisocial Behavior The case study is not a single offense that took place at one point in time. This crime involved stalking, abduction, assault, mur- der, and extortion, which oc- curred over an extended period of time. Lake demonstrated an ability to manage and sustain complex, layered criminal be- haviors over a period of weeks. These behaviors suggested an offender who was adaptable and criminally versatile and who had © shutterstock.com a clear disregard for the rules of society and the rights of others. Conning and Manipulation IMPLICATIONS FOR INVESTIGATORS Even after Brown’s death, Lake continued Analysis of Lake’s behavior, paired with to submit directives to law enforcement and the information from the crime scene, was enough victim’s family. The extortion notes he sent con- to imply his psychopathic nature and suggest tained language that was controlling and devoid investigative strategies to move forward. For ex- of emotion. Like a puppet master, he attempted to ample, it was unlikely that Lake would respond manipulate everything from a distance. Lake ap- to emotional appeals made by Brown’s fam- peared to take particular pleasure in his efforts to ily through the media for his safe release. More deceive the FBI. fruitful appeals would recognize and concede that Lake was in control and imply that meeting Failure to Accept Responsibility his demands was a priority for law enforcement. In the end, Lake was defeated by his own Concurrently, any direct or implied challenges to elaborate but unrealistic plan for law enforcement or offensive remarks about the offender from law to deliver the ransom money. The authorities set enforcement could have resulted in an escalation up surveillance on him after a call he made from of the crime.

12 / FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Law enforcement officers cannot rely on psy- , lack of empathy, excessive pride, chopathic offenders to follow through on reached and violence. Each of these is a tool investigators agreements. They likely will not have an emotion- can use as the occasion demands. As evidenced in al bond with the victim.3 Therefore, the possibility the case study, a psychopath can display a callous of harm to the victim will not diminish with time.4 disregard for the rights of others and a high risk for Such offenders are mission oriented and probably a variety of predatory and aggressive behaviors. will not abandon their crime, at least in the short Clearly, these characteristics have strong implica- run. Any suggestions they make regarding future tions for the strategies used by law enforcement acts that will be done to continue the crime should and security professionals when they must deal be taken seriously. with stalking, threats, and attacks directed at After apprehending an offender, authorities public figures, like the late Samuel Brown. can devise interview strategies based on psycho- pathic characteristics. Interviewers can assume that the offender may attempt to manipulate and Endnotes control the interview with a demeanor of arrogance 1 This article has been edited from its originally published and superiority. For this reason, selecting the right format. See Mary Ellen O’Toole, Sharon S. Smith, and Robert D. Hare, “Psychopathy and Predatory Stalking of Public Figures,” in interviewer is important. The ideal candidate will Stalking, Threatening, and Attacking Public Figures: A Psycho- remain unhindered by the offender’s antagonizing logical and Behavioral Analysis, ed. J. Reid Meloy, Lorraine nature. Sheridan, and Jens Hoffman (New York, NY: Oxford University Open-ended questions might encourage of- Press, 2008). To protect the identities of all parties, the authors have employed pseudonyms and removed potentially identifying fenders to do most of the talking. They likely will information while faithfully portraying the important facts of the brag about the crime, berate the interviewer, and case. allege incompetence in the police investigation. 2 J. Reid Meloy, Violence Risk and Threat Assessment (San However, offenders’ arrogance and sense of supe- Diego, CA: Specialized Training Services, 2000). riority may compel them to inadvertently provide 3 J. Reid Meloy, The Psychopathic Mind: Origins, Dynamics, and Treatment (Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson, 1988); Meloy, information helpful to the investigation. Violence Risk and Threat Assessment; J. Reid Meloy, ed., The Investigators’ comments about the fate of Mark of Cain: Psychoanalytic Insight and the Psychopath (Hills- victims or the impact of their death on the family dale, NJ: The Analytic Press, 2001). likely will not be productive because of psycho- 4 Meloy, Violence Risk and Threat Assessment. pathic offenders’ callousness and lack of empathy. Focus instead should be placed on complimenting offenders and their superior abilities to manipulate investigators, particularly the FBI, for such a long Dr. Smith, a retired special agent with the FBI’s Behavioral period of time. The interviewer also should devise Science Unit, is a consultant on criminal and corporate psy- strategies that appear to minimize the consequenc- chopathy for intelligence- and security-related government es of offenders’ actions. and law enforcement agencies. Dr. O’Toole has served with the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis CONCLUSION Unit and is a private forensic behavioral consultant and Psychopathy is a personality disorder defined an instructor at the FBI Academy. by a cluster of interpersonal, affective, lifestyle, Dr. Hare is a professor emeritus of psychology at the Uni- and antisocial traits and behaviors that pose a seri- versity of British Columbia, Vancouver, and a psychopathy ous problem for society. The behavioral repertoire researcher. of a psychopath includes charm, manipulation,

July 2012 / 13 Looking Behind the Mask Implications for Interviewing Psychopaths By MARY ELLEN O’TOOLE, Ph.D.; MATT LOGAN, Ph.D.; and SHARON SMITH, Ph.D.

ary Leon Ridgway, the empathy for the pain he caused his criminal career that involved infamous Green River the victims and their families egregious and sexually deviant G Killer, sat calmly as he were absent. Like many serial behavior? Because of the strate- casually described how he sexual killers, Ridgway exhib- gies investigators employed murdered, sexually violated, ited many of the traits and to look behind the mask into and disposed of the bodies of at characteristics of psychopathy the psychopathic personality, least 48 women in King County, that emerged in his words and Ridgway was highly motivated Washington.1 He talked about behaviors during his interviews to take them inside his criminal his victims as mere objects, not with law enforcement. mind. human beings. He said things, Ridgway had a lot to lose by like “I feel bad for the victims,” talking to investigators. So, why THE INTERVIEW and even cried at times. How- did one of America’s most pro- EXPERIENCE ever, genuine feelings of re- lific serial sexual killers spend There are no materials morse for his actions and nearly 6 months talking about in textbooks on

14 / FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin interviewing an person or Glib and Charming lack of concern, including an a monster, terms frequently Psychopaths often exude absence of social . They used to describe a psychopath. charm and charisma, making seek or create exciting or risky These terms have no meaning them compelling, likeable, and situations that put them on the in the legal or mental health believable during interviews. edge. nomenclature. A psychopathic They can display a sense of Interviewers often are individual is not necessarily evil humor and be pleasant to talk nervous or anxious. During the nor a monster. A psychopath is with. Their charm allows them first 5 minutes of the interview, someone with specific personal- to feign concern and emotion, when impressions are being ity traits and characteristics. even while they profess formed, engaging in small talk, Many law enforcement pro- their innocence. Because it is in fidgeting with cell phones or fessionals consider themselves their best interest, throughout notepads, or showing uncer- skilled interviewers because of their lives they have convinced tainty regarding seating ar- their training and the volume rangements can communicate to of interviews they have con- psychopaths that interrogators ducted throughout their careers. are nervous or unsure of them- However, when interviewing selves. Psychopathic individuals psychopaths, the dynamics view this as a weakness. change, and existing skills can …when interviewing prove inadequate. Interviews psychopaths, the Stimulation Seeking with these individuals quickly “dynamics change, Their need for stimula- can derail unless investigators and existing skills can tion and proneness to bore- understand what to anticipate prove inadequate. dom means psychopaths often and how to use the psychopath’s become disinterested, dis- own personality traits as tools to tracted, or disconnected during elicit information. interviews. A single investiga- tor may not provide sufficient PSYCHOPATHIC TRAITS stimulation and challenge. A knowledgeable investiga- people that they have normal Consequently, the dynam- tor can identify a multitude emotions. If they perceive that ics need to change to keep the of psychopathic traits and their charm is not working,” it psychopathic offender engaged. characteristics by reviewing quickly will vanish, being re- This may involve using multiple crime scene information, file placed by a more aggressive or interviewers, switching top- data, prior interviews, mental abrasive approach. Interviewers ics, or varying approaches. The health assessments, and relevant are inclined to lecture or scold interviewer’s strategies may information provided by as- the psychopath; however, these include using photographs or sociates and family members. strategies likely will not work. writings to supplement a ques- When sorting through this Psychopaths often appear at tion-and-answer format, letting documentation, interviewers ease during interviews that most suspects write down ideas and should look for lifetime patterns people would find stressful or comments for discussion, or of behavior that manifest traits overwhelming. Several expla- having the psychopath act as a of psychopathy. nations exist for their apparent teacher giving a course about

July 2012 / 15 criminal behavior and providing in them going to jail has the sake of getting away with opinions about the crime. little impact on their decisions. it. They will about anything, Therefore, pointing out the even issues that are insignifi- Narcissistic consequences of their behavior cant to the crime or investiga- A psychopath’s inherent nar- will not work. Their unrealistic tion. Lying is not a concern cissism, selfishness, and grandi- goal setting causes many psy- for them, and they do not feel osity comprise foundations for chopathic offenders to believe anxious or guilty about doing theme building. Premises used they will escape charges, win it. Challenging a psychopathic in past successful interviews of an appeal, have a new trial, or individual’s statements will be psychopathic serial killers fo- receive an . Unable to counterproductive, especially cused on praising their intelli- accept blame, these individuals if done too early in the inter- gence, cleverness, and skill in quickly minimize their involve- view. Investigators should keep evading capture as compared ment in anything that negatively psychopaths talking so their 2 with other serial killers. Be- reflects on them. They usually contradictions and inconsisten- cause of psychopaths’ inflated cies mount. Their arrogance and sense of self worth and impor- impulsive nature result in brag- tance, interviewers should an- ging, preaching, trying to make ticipate that these suspects will an impression, or just showing feel superior to them. Psycho- off. This is when they slip and pathic individuals’ arrogance provide important informa- makes them appear pseudointel- tion about themselves and their lectual or reflects a duping de- crimes. light—enjoyment at playing a Interviewers should be pre- cat-and-mouse game with the pared for a psychopathic suspect interrogator. to hijack the interview by bring- Stressing the seriousness ing up topics that have nothing of the crime is a waste of time to do with the crime. This can with psychopathic suspects. result in a loss of valuable time. They do not care. As distaste- © Thinkstock.com ful as it might be, investigators To bring the discussion back should be prepared to stroke avoid responsibility for their on track an interrogator could psychopaths’ egos and provide actions and frequently deny that say “You raise important issues them with a platform to brag real problems exist. Investiga- that I had not thought of, but and pontificate. It is better to tors can connect with psycho- right now I want to get back to emphasize their unique ability pathic offenders by minimizing discussing the crime.” to devise such an impressive the problem or the extent of Predator crime, execute and narrate the the damage. This facilitates the act, evade capture, trump in- suspect’s disclosure of details Generally, psychopaths vestigators, and generate media about the offense. are predators who view others interest about themselves. around them as prey. Whether Pathologically Deceptive the suspect is dressed in a suit Irresponsible and Manipulative or in dirty, ragged street clothes, The possibility that psy- Most psychopaths are path- this mind-set carries over and chopaths’ actions may result ological liars who will lie for impacts the interview. This

16 / FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Additional Resources

H. Cleckley, (St Louis, MO: Mosby, 1982) R.D. Hare, The Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (Toronto, , Canada: Multihealth Systems, 2003) R.D. Hare, “Psychopaths and Their Nature: Implications for the Mental Health and Criminal Justice Systems,” in Psychopathy: Antisocial, Criminal, and Violent Behavior, ed. T. Millon, E. Simonson, M. Burket-Smith, and R. Davis (New York, NY: Guilford Press), 188-212 R.D. Hare and M.H. Logan, “Introducing Psychopathy to Policing,” in Psychologie de L’enquête: Analyse du Comportement et Recherche de la Vérité, ed. M. St-Yves and M. Tanguay (Quebec, PQ: Editions Yvon Blais, 2007) M.H. Logan, R.D. Hare, and M.E. O’Toole, “The Psychopathic Offender,” The RCMP Gazette, no. 66 (2005): 36-38 M.E. O’Toole, “Psychopathy as a Behavior Classification System for Violent and Serial Crime Scenes,” in The Psychopath: Theory, Research, and Practice, ed. H. Hervé and J. Yuille, (Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum and Associates, 2007), 301-325 U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Serial Murder: Multidisciplinary Perspectives for Investigators (Washington, D.C., 2005), http://www.fbi.gov/ stats-services/publications/serial-murder

means the psychopathic indi- well-known national news cor- completely off guard. When vidual may attempt to invade respondent. Prior to the inter- they sat down, in an effort to the interviewer’s personal view, prison officers set up the build rapport, the correspon- space. These offenders might room and told Manson where dent tried to talk with Manson note and react negatively when to sit. There were three armed about the beautiful California interrogators write things down correctional officers present weather. Manson ignored him, and when they do not. They to monitor Manson’s behav- but said that he had just come will watch the interrogator’s ior. Upon entering the room, out of solitary confinement. The behavior for signs of nervous- Manson immediately walked reporter asked Manson to talk ness, anxiety, frustration, and around the tables to the other about a routine day there at the and react to those signs. side where the reporter stood. prison. Psychopaths use what they can He physically leaned into the Some interviewers would to their advantage. reporter, touched him on his reprehend Manson on his be- While incarcerated in San shoulders, and shook his hand. havior, order him to the other Quentin State Prison in Cali- This display of arrogance, dom- side of the room, and let him fornia, infamous leader inance, and invasion of personal know who is in charge. Invad- Charles Manson participated in space, which took less than ing another’s space and trying an on-camera interview with a 1 minute, caught the reporter to take charge are behaviors

July 2012 / 17 that a psychopath will exhibit Psychopaths blame their victims feelings they do not have or throughout an interview. Inves- for what happened and consider consider important. Often, tigators should anticipate these the victims’ fate irrelevant. these questions evoke agitated actions. Many psychopaths have the responses that are helpful to Manson had just come out intellect to understand that oth- interviewers. of solitary confinement, where ers experience strong emotions. After asking feeling ques- he likely was bored. Ask- These individuals have learned tions, interviewers should pose ing what his routine was like to simulate sentiment to get intellectual ones about the would have catapulted Manson what they want. When pressed crime scene, victim, or of- back into a state of mind— to explain in detail their feelings fense, suggesting that mistakes boredom—inconsistent with a about their victim, the crime, or occurred during the crime. psychopath’s need for thrill and the damage caused, a psycho- The combination of frustration excitement. Manson’s actions path’s words, descriptors, and with emotional questions and suggested that he needed to feel concomitant behaviors will be inferences of a flawed crime dominant and in control. In this lacking. will result in irritation because case, an interviewer could have psychopaths’ grandiosity in focused on Manson and let him thinking means that they feel feel that he decided the topic by they do not make mistakes. asking open-ended questions, This annoyance results in psy- such as “What do you want chopaths making impulsive, to talk about?” Interrogators Psychopaths uncensored statements that needed to minimize personal blame their victims may help investigators. views and insights; seek Man- for“ what happened and son’s opinion; and ask about his consider the victims’ RAPPORT BUILDING greatness, crimes, and notoriety fate irrelevant. Interviewers establish compared with others. Law and bond with psychopaths by enforcement officers should be finding common ground. This aware of the psychopath’s early involves disclosing personal onset boredom and be prepared information, including opin- to incorporate strategies to keep ions, thoughts, observations, the individual stimulated and Throughout the interview, and feelings. Bonding or interested. interrogators should include emotionally connecting with detailed questions about the psychopathic individuals does Unremorseful and ” psychopath’s emotions, such not work because they have a Nonempathetic as “How did you feel when myopic view of a world that Psychopathic offenders are you learned the police were revolves solely around them. not sensitive to altruistic inter- investigating you?” or “What They do not care about the view themes, such as empathy do and regret feel interviewer’s feelings or per- for their victims or remorse like to you?” Probing with sonal experiences. Interview- over their crimes. Their concern emotional questions likely will ers must connect with psycho- is for themselves and the impact rattle and frustrate psychopaths paths by making them think the meeting will have on them. because they cannot explain the interview is about them.

18 / FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin CONCLUSION and see the true psychopathic http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/ personality beneath. Using publications/serial-murder (accessed Through their behavior, January 18, 2012). psychopaths’ convince inter- dynamic and subtly changing viewers that they have remorse strategies during interviews when they have none and that can create an environment they feel guilt when they do where psychopaths less likely Dr. O’Toole has served with the FBI’s not. Their glib and charming will predict the next steps and Behavioral Analysis Unit and is a pri- more likely will talk about vate forensic behavioral consultant and style causes law enforcement an instructor at the FBI Academy. officers to believe the suspects their offenses and criminal superiority. Dr. Logan, a retired staff sergeant with were not involved in the crime. the Royal Canadian Mounted Police The psychopathic individual’s and a psychologist, provides forensic grandiosity and arrogance Endnotes behavioral consultation and training for the law enforcement and criminal offends investigators. Their 1 King County Sheriff’s Office, justice communities. pathological lying frustrates “Green River Homicides Investigation,” and derails the interviewer’s http://www.kingcounty.gov/safety/sheriff/ Dr. Smith, a retired special agent with best efforts. However, with the Enforcement/Investigations/GreenRiver/ the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit, is proper preparation, knowledge, aspx (accessed January 30, 2012). a consultant on criminal and corpo- 2 U.S. Department of Justice, Federal rate psychopathy for intelligence- and and understanding of psychop- Bureau of Investigation, Serial Murder: security-related government and law athy, law enforcement investi- Multidisciplinary Perspectives for enforcement agencies. gators can go behind the mask Investigators (Washington, DC, 2005),

Wanted: Notable Speeches he FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin seeks for its Notable Speech department transcripts of Tpresentations made by criminal justice professionals. Anyone who has delivered a speech recently and would like to share the information with a wider audience may submit a tran- script of the presentation to the Bulletin for consideration. As with article submissions, the Bulletin staff will edit the speech for length and clarity, but, realizing that the information was presented orally, maintain as much of the original flavor as possible. Presenters should submit their transcripts typed and double-spaced on 8 ½- by 11-inch white paper with all pages numbered, along with an electronic version of the transcript, or e-mail them. Send the material to: Editor, FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, FBI Academy, Quantico, VA 22135, or to [email protected].

July 2012 / 19 Case Study

we can predict some of these incidents—and if predictable, they are preventable. TRAGIC CASE A historical Canadian case serves as an exam- ple that draws a parallel from my experience. On March 3, 2005, in the small town of Mayerthorpe, Alberta, Canada, four RCMP officers were killed in the line of duty. Targeted victims, their role as authority figures set off the sequence of events. I believe that this carefully planned and executed attack did not involve an individual merely “snap- ping.” In the mind of perpetrator James Roszko, the time had come for this inevitable event. It was an act of instrumental (planned and goal directed), not impulsive, violence. During the early afternoon of the day before the attack, bailiffs entered the rural farm occupied by Roszko—who previously had damaged visiting officials’ vehicles—to execute a civil order related No More Bagpipes to the seizure of his truck. Roszko’s property con- The Threat of the Psychopath tained a mobile home, a large prefabricated hut, By Matt Logan, Ph.D. other outbuildings, and various vehicles. Roszko released two large, vicious dogs previously se-

© shutterstock.com cured in a small wooden shed. A few minutes elapsed, and the bailiffs saw lthough I am a retired officer who believes Roszko at a white truck, similar to the one they in amazing grace, I have grown tired of planned to seize, parked near the mobile home. He Ahearing the bagpipes and seeing thousands started the vehicle, drove it erratically around the of other officers doing a slow march. I am over- yard and then down the driveway toward the bai- whelmed and saddened when watching a chief try liffs, made a circular turn, and stopped near them to comfort a widow or mother of our too-often- with his driver’s window open. Roszko made an fallen heroes. obscene gesture and yelled . After see- In 2010, a tragic wave of violence against ing him drive across the field, the bailiffs called the America’s law enforcement officers resulted in the RCMP’s Mayerthorpe office to ask for officers to shooting of 11 within a 24-hour time frame. In late respond and keep the peace while they performed January 2011, the murder of 9 officers in 9 days their duties. took me back to the worst memories of my 28-year Subsequently, RCMP officers and the bailiffs policing career with the Royal Canadian Mounted entered the large hut and discovered a marijuana Police (RCMP). operation. They also saw a large stolen genera- A dangerous personality—the psychopath tor, as well as some dismantled vehicles with no in society—kills many members of our criminal identifying plates. A 24-hour search warrant was justice family. I wish to state, unequivocally, that endorsed by a justice and faxed to the Mayerthorpe

20 / FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin RCMP office. Shortly thereafter, a marijuana task The officer instructed his partner to bring the force arrived on site. RCMP officers and task force police vehicle for cover. He then walked backward members remained on the scene and conducted a with his weapon trained on the doorway and took a productive search that yielded solid evidence of kneeling defensive position at the right rear of the stolen auto parts. Officers secured the property vehicle. His partner called 911 from his cell phone. pending the examination of the scene by an auto No further sounds, other than the portable police theft unit, which arrived in an unmarked vehicle radios that the other officers had on their hips, early on the day of the attack. came from the hut. The officers then used their Sometime during the night or early morning, police car radio to call the other officers inside and Roszko made an approach on foot to the large hut, to direct Roszko to come out. No further sounds or where he waited. Later, four officers entered. Out- movement. Members of the emergency response side, the two auto theft inves- team later found the deceased tigators, while readying their bodies of the four officers, as equipment and donning cov- well as Roszko—he died not eralls, heard two loud bangs from the two officer-inflicted and wondered what the other gunshot wounds, but from a officers were doing inside. A “ A dangerous self-inflicted one. series of six more sounds re- personality—the sembling gunshots occurred. psychopath in society— Psychological Autopsy One of the investigators yelled kills many members Along with other mem- words to the effect of “that’s of our criminal bers from RCMP’s British gunfire,” started to run toward justice family. Columbia Major Crimes Unit, the hut, and removed his pis- I responded to Mayerthorpe. tol. As he ran, he heard more My role was to conduct on gunfire, yelling, and scream- James Roszko a psychologi- ing from inside. ” cal autopsy—“a procedure Roszko hid near a 500- for investigating a person’s gallon plastic container in a corner of the hut when death by reconstructing what the person thought, the officers entered. Once all four were inside, Ro- felt, and did before death, based on information szko fired rounds, striking each of them multiple gathered from personal documents, police reports, times, and then exited. He stopped and noticed medical and coroner’s records, and face-to-face in- another officer to his right, who noted that Roszko terviews with families, friends, and others who had had a long-barrelled rifle slung over his shoulders, contact with the person before the death.”1 Most an assault rifle in his hands across his chest, and often, investigators use this procedure in cases of a semiautomatic pistol in his waistband. Roszko suspected suicide or in an attempt to reconstruct turned toward him and fired two shots. One round the life and character of the deceased. The process struck the police vehicle the officer was using for focuses on identifying the deceased’s state of mind cover, and the other narrowly missed to his left, at the time of death and discovering behavioral striking the rearview mirror on the passenger’s patterns that might accompany suicidal and homi- side. The officer fired two shots directly at Roszko, cidal intent. In the case of homicide, investigators who stumbled and reentered the hut, out of the of- focus on victimology because it serves as a key ficer’s line of sight. piece in determining victim selection.

July 2012 / 21 The psychological autopsy can help determine was a newspaper clipping taped to the sideboard the mode of death, as well as the contributing fac- beside the sink. The article focused on the release tors. Why did the perpetrator do this? Why now? of a “cop killer” and featured the photo of Albert Why this person and in this manner? This diligent Foulston, convicted of in the 1990 process includes interpersonal, affective, and be- murder of Edmonton, Alberta, Police Officer Ezio havioral characteristics and can help find patterns Faraone. By the end of that day spent in Roszko’s consistent with personality disorders or mental residence, it made sense to me that he would revere illnesses. Actuarial measures assist in detecting such an individual. psychopathy and revealing potential violence. In his bedroom were two magazines. One was Finally, the assessment provides the reflective a report with a “no surrender” theme that featured a analysis necessary to gain information to help photo of a rifle on the cover. The second contained determine and predict future an article pertaining to the two violent behavior. Columbine killers. I maintain that you can tell a lot about per- James Roszko sons by what they keep in their I identified James Ro- bedrooms—for many individu- szko as a psychopath. My “ A valuable als, their precious possessions, file review assessment using officer safety initiative favorite reading materials, and the Psychopathy Checklist- allows law enforcement most intimate writing. Revised (PCL-R) placed him members to be Sometimes, particularly for in the 91st percentile of of- deviant child molesters, this in- fenders.2 The score on one forewarned and cludes illegal items of pornog- factor (selfish, callous, and forearmed. raphy that the offender values remorseless use of others) and protects. After searching put him in the top 1 percent the home of a sexually deviant of inmates. Clearly, this score ” person for a couple of hours, I more than exceeded the cutoff expect to find a cache of photos. for psychopathy. The instrumental nature of the In this case, initially I did not. I sat on the end of violent act in Mayerthorpe is clear. I believe that Roszko’s bed and scanned the room, looking for the Roszko waited for and, likely, fantasized for years best storage location for such materials. I walked about this showdown with police. In his mind, this over to the closet, reached up above the opening, callous act avenged all of the perceived wrongs and tapped on the panelling inside the closet. After done to him by law enforcement officials. Further, a piece came loose, I reached in and extracted a their presence on his farm provided him a sense of package tightly wrapped in plastic. This seemed to defend his property. to be a treasure for Roszko, one that he would not Because of ongoing trials that ended only let even a tornado or flood damage. After unwrap- recently, this is the first time—7 years after the ping it, I had approximately a 2-foot pile of shrink incident—that I have been allowed to discuss these wrap at my feet, and I held a stack of photos that matters. I know of Roszko’s deviance, level of graphically revealed Roszko—a tattoo identified psychopathy, and fantasy about killing officers be- him as the aggressor—plying two adolescent males cause of observations I made at his residence. The with substances and then performing sexual acts first thing I noticed when entering Roszko’s home on them.

22 / FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin The combination of psychopathy, antisocial Those responsible for the planning and execu- characteristics, schizotypal traits, sexual deviance, tion of operations at the Roszko property paranoia, and a strong desire for revenge identified could have had better information. Whether Roszko as a very volatile and dangerous individual. it would have markedly affected the ulti- Adding his callous and aggressive personality, mate outcome cannot be known. It is known, fascination with guns, and hatred of the police however, that more information is better than made him a ticking bomb. I now recognize the less, and future incident commanders should approach onto his property as the detonator. His have the best possible information available defense of his home was a raison d’être for him, to them. This is especially so as the evidence and he likely both fantasized and planned for the is that threats to police have increased signifi- day. Unfortunately, at the time, the RCMP mem- cantly in recent years.4 bers did not have the knowledge of his potential Efforts to address this information deficit com- for violence and level of dangerousness. This menced well in advance of the inquiry. A system tragic event highlights the value of intelligence-led upgrade now gives members immediate access to policing in determining the background file information. threat to members of the crimi- © iStockphoto.com Judge Pahl continues. nal justice community and their Raw file information may families. lack depth, however, and the RCMP has, therefore, also MODERN THREAT established a Behavioral Years later, the psychopath Sciences Group. This unit is in society still poses a signifi- operating in its developmental cant threat. It is not necessar- stages and will require addi- ily the big-city gang member, tional resources to achieve its the Hells Angels, or the Mafia potential. It is intended to be killing our criminal justice of- a dedicated criminal threat as- ficials, although one of these sessment unit with profession- descriptions may fit the psy- al psychological support and chopath. Rather, it is the psy- has access to a broader data chopathic personality, not the base than will a detachment. gang affiliation, that would serve as the common In conjunction with this unit’s mandate, it has denominator. And, granted, not every psychopath also been recommended that each detachment is a murderer, but it often is the psychopath with maintain ongoing operational intelligence other behavioral and contextual factors (e.g., per- files on perceived threats. I strongly sup- ceived loss, revenge orientation, increased nega- port that recommendation but I go somewhat tive contact with law enforcement) that creates further. The evidence at this inquiry shows a “perfect storm” and catches officers and other that some individual members felt the need innocent people in the “maelstrom.” to develop their own threat list. It was also In March 2011, concerning the Mayerthorpe apparent that there was a lack of continuity of , the public fatality inquiry report became information. Staff members had significantly public.3 Assistant Chief Judge Daniel R. Pahl had longer service than the officers, but most his- some insightful comments. torical information as was available from the

July 2012 / 23 staff was necessarily anecdotal in nature. It justice family. A customized version of this initia- is possible that without a formalized system, tive presently is being used by the Calgary, Alberta, this approach may, however inadvertently, Police Service and is being developed by the King continue to prevail. RCMP detachments are County, Washington, Sheriff’s Office. busy places. Matters of individual initiative This risk evaluation requires gathering and ex- are often subsumed by diverse general duties amining available case materials and background and emergencies. Notwithstanding the best information regarding the subject and potential intentions of individuals, oversights occur. victims. Risk-enhancing and -reducing factors, I believe that detachments should carefully often dynamic and responsive to changing circum- avoid any ad hoc approach to the gathering stances, are identified and articulated in a written and maintenance of threat assessment report. These factors come from statistical infor- intelligence.5 mation based on research con- ducted by experts in various Officer Safety Initiative fields, including psychiatry, In every jurisdiction psychology, law enforcement, worldwide, police know of and threat assessment. Along individuals who pose an el- “Determining the with a review of the subject’s evated risk to officers due to individuals who pose current circumstances, they the combined elements of se- the most danger to law help estimate the level of vere substance , mental enforcement involves risk—none, low, moderate, illness, psychopathy, person- constructing templates high, or imminent—involved. ality disorders, or a pattern of based on research and I recommend developing an criminal behavior. However, related experiences. operational plan based on the not all agencies have a strat- identified risk factors and a egy to deal with these persons realistic appraisal of the ca- and, therefore, lack specific pabilities of the agencies re- tactical response plans. While ” sponsible for intervening and Mayerthorpe serves as an managing the risk. example of a worst-case scenario, police should Someone may look at this methodology and not find themselves in potentially life-threatening consider it complicated and beyond the expertise situations without sufficient information about the of a smaller department. Structured strategy based risks they face. on current risk and threat assessment models, the The Threat to Criminal Justice Officials (TCJO) use of a custom template, and access to behav- initiative focuses on the risk posed by individuals ioral science experts can give officers the requi- identified as dangerous to police or other criminal site knowledge to put this plan into place in their justice personnel, including officers, prosecutors, jurisdictions. judiciary officials, jury members, sheriffs, and corrections officers. It allows law enforcement to Gathering Subject Information be forewarned and forearmed and provides a pre- Identifying the individuals who pose danger dictive instrument to initiate a preventive strategy. to police involves collecting and analyzing in- The plan uses and encourages intuition combined formation pertaining to the reasons for their anti- with research to save the lives of the criminal police attitude and descriptions of their criminal

24 / FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Sample Template Items Violence Type Previous Violence Toward Lifestyle Criminal Justice Officials

Instrumental violence Documented assault of Motivation (planned, goal directed) criminal justice officials (revenge/fear of loss)

Reactive violence Threats to criminal justice High contact with (explosive, impulsive) officials criminal justice officials

Nonviolence None Limited contact/ no known motivation activity, previous violent acts or threats made to- Rating the Threat ward authority figures, current mental health sta- Determining the individuals who pose the tus, and any prior diagnosis. Information about most danger to law enforcement involves con- homicidal or suicidal ideation, as well as any child- structing templates based on research and related hood or adolescent maladaptation, is additionally experiences. These templates allow agencies to do useful but often unavailable. A potentially expedient and useful way of iden- a form of triaging to determine where best to place tifying the subjects who may pose danger is sim- their resources. As a triage tool, the templates are ply to ask criminal justice officials. For instance, not subject to academic scrutiny and do not require through an open letter or memo to all criminal users to have an academic background. Although justice agencies in a jurisdiction, personnel can predictive, they are not actuarial measures and outline this program and ask the basic question would not constitute part of a psychological or be- “Have you encountered an individual in your work havioral assessment. Templates allow an objective who you believe is likely to attack a criminal jus- look at subjects who previously may have been tice official?” That question, by itself, may prove identified subjectively. The templates are based sufficient, but a few inclusionary criteria can as- on years of research on violence in general and sist in maximizing the value of the response. For toward police specifically.6 instance, the person has— The TCJO Template is a simple 10-point made threats or displayed assaultive behavior measure that agencies can customize and adapt toward authority; to their needs and parameters. Departments with amassed a record of violent behavior with no access to criminal records or correctional little regard for consequences; information will require different template items than agencies with more information available seemed to display a need for revenge; or to them. Templates are accompanied by scoring experienced a series of losses (e.g., freedom, guides that cite related literature serving as relationship, property, employment). source material and demonstrate the scoring

July 2012 / 25 methodology.7 While the templates help determine Creating an Operational Plan the probability of targeted violence and the This phase employs the skill of tactical experts. severity of the outcome, the imminence must be It involves an assessment of the risks in various evaluated by looking at patterns of behavior, circumstances (e.g., chance encounters, vehicle threats, planning, life circumstances, and target stops, arrests away from the residence, entries into availability. a suspect’s property or residence, and hostage/ barricade situations). The agency of jurisdiction Evaluating the Threat then would use the evaluation and recommenda- Agency experts can provide risk assessments tions to develop or adopt the tactical response of persons dangerous to police and other criminal plans for dealing with the individual. In the case justice officials. As always, potential assailants of a person who scores high on the template and may remain largely unde- who has exhibited behavior tected, but the judicious use that warrants caution, an in- of trained threat assessment tervention plan may involve professionals can reduce the a tactical team. The ability to danger subjects pose to those “ have individuals determined responsible for criminal jus- to be high risk flagged on a tice. The threat assessment We must become system, such as the Canadian actually should be referred proactive in protecting Police Information Center or to as a threat evaluation and our criminal justice similar tool, is paramount, management plan because it family. and the operational plan must involves more than just an as- be available on that system. sessment of threat. The TCJO An electronic mapping sys- template serves as only one tem that pinpoints the sub- part of the evaluation process. ject’s frequented locations While it assesses the risk, an ” also should be considered. evaluation of the context and, finally, a management and operational, or tactical, CONCLUSION plan must follow. As I wrote this, another police officer was Assessing and predicting potential violence murdered nearby. I believe that a rough ride entail evaluating observable individual traits and is ahead for criminal justice officials—more situational indicators known to be consistent specifically, police officers. Looking at the latest with previous violent acts. Agency officials must perpetrators believed to have shot and killed law reach deductions and subjective opinions, and, as enforcement officers, including James Roszko such, violence may be over- or underpredicted in (Alberta, Canada); Maurice Clemmons (Lake- some cases. Risk for violence is dynamic in that it wood, Washington); Johnny Simms (Miami, changes with variations in the offender’s thinking Florida); or Hydra Lacy, Jr. (St. Petersburg, and circumstances. The context in which the threat Florida), shows that they have similar features, exists also is key to determining risk. Information including early or previous violence, threat or provided for analysis must be complete, current, aggression toward authority, perceived loss of and accurate. freedom, use of weapons in violent acts, and

26 / FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin personality disorders with psychopathic features. The (1992); In the Line of Fire (1997); and Violent Encounters: revenge-oriented, nothing-more-to-lose psychopath Felonious Assaults on America’s Law Enforcement Officers (2006), are available from the UCR Program Office, FBI Com- will be a huge nemesis for law enforcement. We plex, 1000 Custer Hollow Road, Clarksburg, WV 26206-0150, must become proactive in protecting our criminal or by calling 888-827-6427. justice family. 7 Pinizzotto, Davis, and Miller; Hare; J. Monahan, H.J. Steadman, E. Silver, P.S. Appelbaum, P.C. Robins, E.P. Mulvey, Endnotes L.R. Roth, T. Grisso, and S. Banks, Rethinking : 1 http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/ The McArthur Study of and Violence (New Psychological+Autopsy (accessed September 28, 2011) York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2001); V.L. Quinsey, G.E. 2 R.D. Hare, The Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (Toronto, Harris, M.E. Rice, and C. Cormier, Violent Offenders: Apprais- ON: Multi-Health Systems, 2003). ing and Managing Risk (Washington, DC: - 3 For more information, visit http://justice.alberta.ca/programs_ logical Association, 1998); and M. Woodworth and S. Porter, services/fatality/Pages/fatality_reports.aspx (accessed September “In Cold Blood: Characteristics of Criminal Homicides as a 29, 2011). Function of Psychopathy,” Journal of Abnormal Psychology 4 http://justice.alberta.ca/programs_services/fatality/Documents/ 111, no. 3 (2002): 436-445. fatality-report-mayerthorpe.pdf (accessed September 29, 2011) 5 Ibid. 6 The templates are based largely on years of research conducted Dr. Logan, a retired staff sergeant with the Royal Cana- by Anthony J. Pinizzotto and Edward F. Davis, who served in the dian Mounted Police and a psychologist, provides forensic FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit, and Charles E. Miller III, currently behavioral consultation and training for the law enforcement with the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services Division. and criminal justice communities. The reports resulting from this research, Killed in the Line of Duty

The Bulletin’s E-mail Address © Digital Vision he FBI Law Enforcement Bul- T letin staff invites you to commu- nicate with us via e-mail. Our e-mail address is [email protected]. We would like to know your thoughts on contemporary law en- forcement issues. We welcome your comments, questions, and suggestions about the magazine. Please include your name, title, and agency on all e-mail messages. Also, the Bulletin is available for viewing or downloading on a number of computer services, as well as the FBI’s home page. The home page address is http://www.fbi.gov.

July 2012 / 27 The Language of Psychopaths New Findings and Implications for Law Enforcement By MICHAEL WOODWORTH, Ph.D.; JEFFREY HANCOCK, Ph.D.; STEPHEN PORTER, Ph.D.; ROBERT HARE, Ph.D.; MATT LOGAN, Ph.D.; MARY ELLEN O’TOOLE, Ph.D.; and SHARON SMITH, Ph.D.

© Thinkstock.com

or psychopaths, not only interview with murderer and six women in December 2007, a lack of affect but also rapist , his initially was on trial for 26 Finappropriate emotion powerful use of communica- counts of first-degree murder. may reveal the extent of their tion via his hand gesturing is He once bragged to a cellmate callousness. Recent research easily observable and often that he intended to kill 50 wom- suggested that much can be distracts from his spoken .2 en. Details provided in court re- learned about these individuals The authors offer their insights vealed brutal and heinous mur- by close examination of their into the unique considerations ders that often included , language. Their highly per- pertaining to psychopaths’ degradation, and dismember- suasive nonverbal behavior communication. ment of the victims. The authors often distracts the listener opine that Mr. Pickton proba- from identifying their psycho- Psychopathy bly would meet the criteria for pathic nature.1 For example, Robert Pickton, convicted psychopathy, a destructive per- on a publically available police of the second-degree murder of sonality disorder that combines

28 / FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin a profound lack of conscience information regarding the mind- simple to sophisticated, but with several problematic inter- set of a psychopath.3 they all essentially identify lin- personal, emotional, and behav- Conning, manipulation, and guistic patterns and count their ioral characteristics. a desire to lie for the sake of frequency relative to a control Consistent with psychopa- getting away with it—often re- language. thy, Robert Pickton’s self-report ferred to as “duping delight”— Considering the speech of and presentation during his are well known characteristics narcissists, they use language showed a man de- of the psychopath. These be- related to the self more than void of emotion. His demeanor haviors, combined with a self- nonnarcissistic people because during this lengthy questioning confident swagger and ability to of their primary concern with reflected detachment and bore- distract the listener with gran- themselves. To analyze this, a dom. During most of his trial, diose self-presentation, make it program could count the num- Mr. Pickton was described as difficult to properly follow their ber of times the words “I,” emotionless. Individuals pres- self-report. “me,” or “my” occurred in a ent in court expressed dismay person’s speech and compare over his lack of emotion during that to the general population. A the reading of horrifying impact narcissist’s speech should have statements. a higher percentage of these With the nonchalant and Individuals’ types of words. emotionless demeanor of a psy- language is one of the Until recently, these tools chopath, Robert Pickton would best ways to glean have not been used to ana- make an interesting case study. “ lyze the speech production of insight into their Reviewing his videotaped self- thoughts and general criminals and psychopathic report with the sound muted, it outlook. individuals. A previous study appeared that he was reporting using human coders found some mundane incident, rather that there are differences in than detailed accounts of the the speech of psychopaths and heinous murders he committed. nonpsychopaths. Experts found A psychopath recently in- Analysis and Technology that psychopaths more likely terviewed by one of the authors Individuals’ language is one will exaggerate the spontaneity recounted a vicious murder he of the best ways to glean insight of their homicides. They may had committed. “We got, uh, we into their thoughts and general” label a cold-blooded murder got high, and had a few beers. I outlook. Recent advances in as a crime of passion and omit like whiskey, so I bought some technology make it possible incriminating details of what whiskey, we had some of that, to examine more closely the occurred during the act.5 and then we, uh, went for a language of various clinical Research on speech acous- swim, and then we made love populations through automatic tics indicated that psychopaths in my car, then we left to go get linguistic analysis programs. do not differentiate in voice some more, some more booze These applications can dif- emphasis between neutral and and some more drugs.” A recent ferentiate between a variety emotional words. Other anal- study explained how this narra- of individual and personality ysis suggested that the speech tive might reveal important factors.4 The tools range from narratives of these individuals

July 2012 / 29 are organized poorly and inco- function words and focus on drugs the day he committed the herent.6 This is surprising be- content words (verbs and nouns, murder. cause psychopaths are excellent such as “kill” and “knife”). Psychopathic murderers storytellers who successfully Because psychopaths are skilled differ in other ways of speaking. con others. at manipulating, deceiving, Compared with nonpsycho- This finding leads to the and controlling their self-pre- paths, they make fewer refer- interesting question of how sentation, a computerized tool ences to social needs relating psychopaths can have such examining subtle aspects of to family and friends. Research manipulative prowess. In their language represents a new indicated that the selfish, instru- addition to their skilled use of avenue to uncover important mental, goal-driven nature of , recent research insights into their behavior and psychopaths and their inability indicated that they are skilled at diagnosis. to focus on emotional aspects of faking emotional expressions, © Thinkstock.com an event is discernable by close- approaching the skill level of ly examining their language.9 emotionally intelligent individu- Psychopaths’ language is less als, despite being largely devoid emotionally intense. They use of emotion.7 They are capable more past-tense verbs in their of adopting various masks, narrative, suggesting a greater appearing empathetic and re- psychological and emotional morseful to the extent that they detachment from the incident. can talk and cry their way out The authors’ study was the of parole hearings at a higher first step in using automated rate than their less dangerous language analysis to further counterparts. the understanding of the Language analysis tools psychopath’s mind-set and to indicate that many aspects of begin developing a program language are not consciously for suggesting an individual’s controllable by the speaker. Two automated text analy- psychopathy. An ongoing Words that linguists call func- sis tools—Wmatrix and the study is attempting to examine tion words are unconsciously Dictionary of Affect and Lan- language differences in non- produced by people. These guage—were used by research- criminal individuals who have include pronouns, such as ers to examine for the first time high psychopathic indicators. “I,” “me,” and “my”; preposi- the crime narratives of a group tions like “to” and “from”; and of psychopathic and nonpsycho- Interrogators and likewise, articles “a” and “the.” pathic murderers.8 The results Investigators Words can reveal the inner indicated that when describ- Considering the nature of workings of a person’s mind, ing their murders, psychopaths psychopathy and the fascinat- such as the narcissist’s focus on more likely would provide ing aspects of the psychopath’s the self. While word patterns information about basic needs, language, law enforcement offi- easily are measured by comput- such as food, drink, and money. cials should keep certain points er programs, they are difficult For example, in the earlier nar- in mind when interviewing or for human coders to determine rative, the offender talked about interacting with these individu- because people tend to ignore eating, drinking, and taking als. During an interview, Ted

30 / FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Bundy once said, “I don’t feel are face-to-face with a potential Conclusion guilty for anything. I feel sorry victim. Recent research illus- Considering some of the for people who feel guilt.” trated that computer-mediated unique aspects of psychopathic Psychopaths are incapable environments, such as text- language, it might be pos- of identifying with or caring based chatrooms, enhance the sible to detect the psychopath about the emotional pain that ability of liars to get away with in online environments where they have caused victims or their lies.10 information is exclusively text their families, so any strategy Despite the difficulties pre- based. To catch a psychopath in to appeal to the psychopath’s sented by Internet exchanges, this context, law enforcement conscience probably will be several opportunities exist. The agencies need to be aware of met with failure and frustration. majority of online communica- the subtleties of their deceptive This type of strategy will prove tion is text based, which means communication styles. Overall, a waste of time. It may irritate that unlike face-to-face con- there is a need for further sci- psychopathic individuals and tact, online interactions leave a entific research on the language cause them to be less inclined of psychopaths and training in to continue to engage with their statement analysis and decep- interviewers. tion detection techniques. Interrogators should remain aware of the psychopath’s non- To facilitate the identification of Endnotes verbal skills—body language 1 S. Porter, L. ten Brinke, and K. and facial expressions that cre- an individual as a Wilson, “Crime Profiles and Conditional ate displays of sincerity—used “psychopath, it is Release Performance of Psychopathic for deceit in the interview room. important to collect and Nonpsychopathic Sexual Offenders,” Psychopaths are master manipu- Legal and Criminological Psychology 14, as much language no. 1 (February 2009): 109-118. lators who have fooled many as possible. 2 Convicted Killer Paul Bernardo Inter- professionals. To facilitate the view on Elizabeth Bain, released for public identification of an individual viewing June 10, 2008, http://www.youtube. as a psychopath, it is important com/watch?v=V6F4_KIU55I. to collect as much language as 3 Y. Tausczik and J.W. Pennebaker, record of the actual words. For “The Psychological Meaning of Words: possible. Interviews with sus- LIWC and Computerized Text Analysis pected psychopaths should be example, the Long Island Serial Methods,” Journal of Language and Social recorded for analysis. Killer used a Web site to attract Psychology 29, no. 1 (2010): 24-54. his victims and communicate” 4 Tausczik and Pennebaker. Social Media with them. The language from 5 S. Porter and M. Woodworth, “I’m As the number of people these interactions gave law Sorry I Did It ... But He Started It: A Com- parison of the Official and Self-Reported online increases, so does the enforcement officers an advan- Homicide Descriptions of Psychopaths amount of criminally minded tage when assessing the motiva- and Nonpsychopaths,” Law and Human individuals using the Web. This tions and needs of the perpetra- Behavior 31, no. 1 (2007): 91-107. includes psychopathic indi- tor. Words provide a window 6 C.A. Brinkley, J.P. Newman, T.J. viduals aware that this may be a into the minds of criminals, Harpur, and M.M. Johnson, “Cohesion in Texts Produced by Psychopathic and fruitful environment for victim- helping to determine whether Nonpsychopathic Criminal Inmates,” izing others. Individuals moti- they fit any particular personal- Personality and Individual Differences 26 vated to lie do worse when they ity profile, such as psychopathy. (1999): 873-885.

July 2012 / 31 About the Authors 7 S. Porter, L. ten Brinke, A. Baker, and B. Wallace, “Would I Lie to You? Dr. Woodworth is a registered psychologist and an associate professor at the ‘Leakage’ in Deceptive Facial Expressions University of British Columbia, Okanagan. Relates to Psychopathy and ,” Personality and Individual Dr. Hancock is an associate professor at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Differences 51, no. 2 (2011):133-137. 8 J. Hancock, M.T. Woodworth, and S. Dr. Porter is a professor of psychology and the founding director of the Centre for the Porter, “Hungry Like the Wolf: A Word Advancement of Psychological Science and Law (CAPSL) at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan. Pattern Analysis of the Language of Psychopaths,” Legal and Criminological Dr. Hare is a professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Psychology, http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/ and a psychopathy researcher. doi/10.1111/j.2044-8333.2011.02025.x/full (accessed 5/10/12). Dr. Logan, a retired staff sergeant with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and a 9 M.T. Woodworth and S. Porter, “In psychologist, provides forensic behavioral consultation and training for the law Cold Blood: Characteristics of Criminal enforcement and criminal justice communities. Homicides as a Function of Psychopathy, Dr. O’Toole has served with the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit and is a private Journal of Abnormal Psychology 111, no. forensic behavioral consultant and an instructor at the FBI Academy. 3 (2002): 436-445. 10 J.T. Hancock, M.T. Woodworth, and Dr. Smith, a retired special agent with the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit, is a S. Goorha, “See No Evil: The Effect of consultant on criminal and corporate psychopathy for intelligence- and Communication Medium and Motivation security-related government and law enforcement agencies. on Deception Detection,” Group Decision and Negotiation 19 (2010): 327-343.

Wanted: Photographs he Bulletin staff always is looking for dynamic, law enforcement-related images Tfor possible publication in the magazine. We are interested in those that visually depict the many aspects of the law enforcement profession and illustrate the various tasks law enforcement personnel perform. We can use digital photographs or color prints. It is our policy to credit photog- raphers when their work appears in the magazine. Contributors sending prints should send duplicate copies, not originals, as we do not accept responsibility for damaged or lost prints. Send the material to: Art Director, FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, FBI Academy, Quantico, VA 22135, or to [email protected].

32 / FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Bulletin Notes

Law enforcement officers are challenged daily in the performance of their duties; they face each challenge freely and unselfishly while answering the call to duty. In certain instances, their actions warrant special attention from their respective departments. The Bulletin also wants to recognize those situations that transcend the normal rigors of the law enforcement profession.

Officer Ginger Peterson of the Cheyenne, Wyoming, Police Depart- ment responded to an emergency call about a local house fire. Arriving at the scene before the fire department, she discovered flames breaching the northwest window of the home and spreading rapidly. She soon learned that occupants still were inside and, without hesitation, entered the basement apartment of the burning building. Officer Peterson woke up two women in the apartment and located a third person, all unaware of the fire above them. After rapidly escorting the three to safety, she gathered the occupants of the main floor, which consisted of two small children and their mother, and put

Officer Peterson them in her car to keep them from the cold and snowy conditions outside. Because of Officer Peterson’s quick action, all the occupants of the home escaped without injury.

Deputy Keven Rowan of the Rockwall County, Texas, Sheriff’s Office was patrolling a reservoir area in the early morning when he noticed a vehicle in the water. It appeared the driver had maneuvered down an adjacent boat ramp. Upon closer inspection, he saw two young women trapped in the car, unable to open the doors or windows. Deputy Rowan removed his equip- ment belt and swam about 30 yards out to the car, where it was sinking under 10 to 12 feet of water. He used a glass-breaking device to gain entry and pulled both women out just as the vehicle fully submerged. As neither of the women could swim, Deputy Rowan carried them both to a point where his

Deputy Rowan feet could touch the bottom, then helped them to safety up the nearby Nominations for the Bulletin Notes should be based on either the boat ramp. rescue of one or more citizens or arrest(s) made at unusual risk to an officer’s safety. Submissions should include a short write-up (maximum of 250 words), a separate photograph of each nominee, and a letter from the department’s ranking officer endorsing the nomination. Submissions can be mailed to the Editor, FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, FBI Academy, Quantico, VA 22135 or e-mailed to [email protected]. Some published submissions may be chosen for inclusion in the Hero Story segment of the television show “America’s Most Wanted.” U.S. Department of Justice Periodicals Federal Bureau of Investigation Postage and Fees Paid Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin ISSN 0014-5688 935 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20535-0001

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Patch Call

TheTh patchth off ththe ClColoradod StState t UiUniversity The Desert Hawk Fugitive Task Force was Police Department in Fort Collins features the founded in 1992 as a joint effort between the FBI’s school’s prominent stone-columned Administra- Phoenix, Arizona, office and local law enforcement tion Building as seen from the south end of the agencies to target violent fugitives and repeat of- Oval, an expansive park one-quarter mile around. fenders for arrest. The task force currently is staffed The Oval has been a center of activity on the cam- by two special agents and members of the Maricopa pus since 1909 and is lined with 65 American elm County Sheriff’s Office, Mesa Police Department, trees, some of which are depicted on the police and Scottsdale Police Department. Its diamond- department patch. A number of other academic shaped patch features a vigilant eagle over a back- and administrative buildings line this green area, ground of the sun rising above the desert. The bot- the oldest of which was built in 1881, 11 years tom of the patch depicts a set of handcuffs, a symbol after the university’s founding. of the task force’s great success since its inception.