By  John Reid & Associates

Imagine what it would be like to make everyday decisions without caring how your choices affected others and to live each day with the only goal being to elevate your insatiable self-worth.* When telling lies or engaging in criminal activity you experience no guilt or remorse and you have such confidence in your ability to escape punishment that you lie at will; in fact, engaging in illegal behavior, and the thrill of getting away with it, becomes a driving force in your life allowing you to express superiority over others: Welcome to the mind of the primary psychopath.

Fortunately, less than one percent of the population is diagnosed as a primary psychopath.* The predominant traits that characterize this psychological disorder include lack of remorse or guilt, poor behavioral control, need for emotional stimulation,* irresponsibility, shallow affect, failure to learn from experience, and involvement in anti-social behavior, including frequent lying. Primary psychopaths are usually diagnosed in their twenties, tend to be male and have a higher than average IQ.** They experience a psychological burn-out by mid-life after which they are likely to be nonproductive members of society (incarcerated, drug addicts, recluses).

Statistically, an investigator is much more likely to encounter a secondary psychopath.* These are individuals who possess some psychopathic traits in combination with symptoms from other personality disorders or mental illness.* About fifty percent of the prison population is diagnosed as having some psychopathic traits.

Identifying the psychopath

An investigator is generally not concerned with exactly what mental illness a suspect suffers from, but rather how to recognize fundamental symptoms of a disorder and how to effectively deal with the suspect.* A suspect with psychopathic tendencies will exhibit several of the following behaviors:

1.* Glibness / superficial charm e.g., unconcerned attitude, overly polite, inappropriate levity

2.* Irresponsibility e.g., failure to meet financial obligations, failure to keep appointments, not following through on promises

3.* Reckless disregard of other's safety or feelings / lack of empathy e.g., irrationally shooting a customer during a robbery, purposefully aiming a car toward an animal trying to cross the road

4.* Pervasive engagement in anti-social behavior, e.g., lying, cheating, theft, fraud

5.* Impulsive behaviors, e.g., promiscuous sexual behavior, spontaneous crimes

6.* Feelings of entitlement, e.g., strive for positions of authority and power, expectation of special treatment (or claims of unfair treatment)

There are a number of key behaviors that may indicate a suspect has psychopathic tendencies.* The first is the suspect who, upon meeting the investigator, exhibits no fear or anxiety.* Rather, the suspect appears to almost enjoy the challenge of answering questions and does not present any outward symptoms of anxiety or guilt even when caught making an inconsistent or false statement.*

The suspect may engage in testing behavior shortly after meeting the investigator.* This concept comes from con men who would stage certain scenarios to test the gullibility of a potential victim.* Examples of testing behavior may include asking the investigator for a business card, to draw a map showing the best route to the freeway, or simply for the current time.* By engaging in this preemptive behavior, the suspect gains a sense of control during the interview.

Finally, it is not uncommon for psychopaths to falsify their credentials and even impersonate others.* When psychopathy is suspected, the investigator should question the suspect about his background, education, professional licenses and certification.* It may be productive to ask the suspect, "Have you ever pretended to be someone else, where you posed as another person?"

Interviewing The Psychopath   ***********

Because of the psychopath's high level of self confidence, he often believes that he does not need an attorney.* A psychopath is likely to waive his Miranda rights and agree to be interviewed.* During the interview he is easily engaged and appears to be helpful and cooperative.* In reality this "cooperative facade" allows the psychopath to manipulate the investigator with the intent to convince the investigator of his innocence.

The challenge in interviewing a psychopath is that, depending on the degree of psychopathy, the suspect may exhibit minimal behavior symptoms of deception when lying.* This includes the lack of specific nonverbal or paralinguistic behaviors reflecting anxiety, guilt, fear or low confidence.* Similarly, on the verbal level, the psychopath may not reduce anxiety by using memory qualifiers e.g., "to the best of my knowledge."*

In fact, psychopaths often tell bold lies that invite a challenge, e.g.,** "I had nothing to do with this whatsoever.* Iill give you my fingerprints because I know you won't find them at the crime scene."* Later, the investigator finds the suspect's fingerprints all over the crime scene.* Needless to say, when a suspect exhibits psychopathic traits the investigator should not take anything the suspect says at face value.* Rather, the investigator should carefully document the suspects alleged credentials or alibi, obtain exemplars, get blood sample, take fingerprints etc. and check everything out.

The psychopathis weakness is within his attitudes.* During an interview he will come across as unconcerned (inappropriate levity, express leniency toward the guilty party), offer unrealistic assessments of the crime, and express insincere emotions.* The predominant feature is the absence of anxiety or concern that is typically observed from innocent suspects.* Moreover, because psychopaths engage in spontaneous behavior, often there is clear evidence that places them at the crime scene or with the victim.* Of course, when confronted with the evidence, the suspect will have an explanation for the evidence and protest his innocence with a great deal of conviction.

Interrogating the Psychopath

Hard-wired within the psychopathis affected personality is a very high index of suspicion; psychopaths are incapable of fully trusting another human being and believe that everyone only acts in their own best interests.* Consequently, if the investigator attempts to come across as someone who understands the suspects' situation and can sympathize with the suspectis reasons for committing the crime, the investigator will lose credibility.*

Rather, the investigator should use a factual approach to the interrogation.* The investigators' statements should focus on evidence and attacking the suspect's credibility.* The investigator's demeanor should be professional, emotionally detached and confident.* It is rare for a primary psychopath to fully confess his crime.* More often, he will make incriminating statements and ultimately accept a plea bargain from the prosecutor n the psychopath will not fully admit wrong-doing, but may acknowledge that it is in his best interest to plead guilty.

In conclusion, investigators must guard against labeling every suspect who commits a despicable crime or who frequently lies as a psychopath.* While it is true that many people who commit crimes have psychopathic tendencies, certainly not all criminals are primary psychopaths.* Psychopathy occurs on a wide continuum.* Consequently, rather than asking, "Is this suspect a psychopath?" the investigator may be better off asking, " To what extent does this suspect exhibit psychopathic tendencies?"*

The more psychopathic tendencies a suspect exhibits, the less weight should be placed on specific behavior symptoms of truth or deception during the interview.* In fact, the focus of the interview should be to obtain detailed information, about the suspects' alibi, relationship with the victim, financial situation etc., and that information should be verified (or refuted).* The psychopath's guilt is usually revealed by detecting not one big lie, but several little ones.* Also, the interrogation approach should appeal less to the suspectis emotions and more to logic and intellectual arguments.

Credit and Permission Statement: This Investigator Tip was developed by John E. Reid and Associates Inc. Permission is hereby granted to those who wish to share or copy the article. For additional 'tips' visit www.reid.com; select 'Educational Information' and 'Investigator Tip'. Inquiries regarding Investigator Tips should be directed to Janet Finnerty johnreid@htc.net. For more information regarding Reid seminars and training products, contact John E. Reid and Associates, Inc. at 800-255-5747 or www.reid.com

by StreetCrimes.com

Question:

 I’ve recently been assigned to a narcotics unit after several years on patrol. My new assignment will require me to conduct surveillance on drug dealer and dope houses. Can you give me any advice so I don’t get made?

-Joe Lawler

Answer:

Surveillance is a really basic investigative tool that can be used in many different types of investigations. Simply put, it is to observe a location, or follow someone without being seen.  I’ve always been interested in learning how the bad guys operate and the best way to find out is by asking them. What I’ve learned in 25 years of interviewing criminals is that the follow represents the top ten things criminals do to detect police presence:

1. Stopping suddenly after making a turn.
2. Driving down dead- end streets or pulling into a driveway.
3. Driving very fast for a while then driving very slowly.
4. Frequently pulling over and parking.
5. Timing traffic lights so you catch a red.
6. Making U-turns.
7. Cutting through parking lots.
8. Leaving their residence and returning right away.
9. Having people follow them.
10. Going into a store then watching out a window.

Whenever you observe a suspect doing any of the maneuvers above, there is a strong chance they are able to smoke out anyone who is following them. The most common surveillance mistake officers make is that they either set up too close to a suspect they are tailing. Dope dealers are not only looking for the police, but also for other bad guys trying to rip them off. A simple rule to follow is that if you can see the bad guy easily, he can see you! So get yourself a good set of binoculars and stay back.

 Question:

            I’m currently assigned to a tactical squad that executes search warrants on a regular basis. We have encountered several vicious dogs recently on some of our warrants.  Do you have any advice on how to eliminate the threat without destroying the dog?

-Bob Fortier

 Answer:

           I’ve been on search warrants where dogs have been shot several times and they still keep coming.  Shooting any animal should be done only in extreme circumstances, because bullets ricochet and you might wind up hitting another cop or a civilian with an errant round.

           Pepper spray usually works. But you run the risk of having the spray blow back of you or other officers.  I would recommend that you carry a can of wasp spray that you can purchase at most stores. The spray shoots out a chemical quite a distance and will not permanently injure the dog.  Another option I can suggest is to use a fire extinguisher, the type that shoots out a white chemical powder and makes a whooshing sound.  Most dogs will turn tail and run.     

I want to thank (Ret.) Sgt. Dennis Reagan, Phoenix P.D., for the call and information on controlling vicious dogs.  Sgt. Reagan shared a good tip on controlling vicious dogs on search warrants.  He suggested using road flares as a useful tool in fending off pit bulls and other aggressive dogs you may encounter.  These flares burn at an extremely hot temperature and if a dog is that vicious, one taste of that flare will be all that it takes.  Thanks Sarge.  My goal is to provide working cops with useful information.  Your valuable insight is greatly appreciated.

Patrick McCarthy spent 25years with the nation’s second largest police department, the Chicago P.D.  He has participated in thousands of surveillances, stakeouts, and undercover ops. His background and work experience qualify him as an expert in many types of investigations, including undercover assignments, sting operations, gang and organized crime, and drugs. He has lectured on gang and organized crime issues throughout the US, Canada, and China.  Pat also created the three-day Street Crimes Program, which is sponsored by John E. Reid and Associates in over 100 cities a year.  In addition, Pat developed the Street Cop Video Training Series to give working police officers street tested information.  For more information on the Street Crimes Program or the Street Cop Video Training Series visit www.streetcop.com or call 800-275-4915.

REASONABLE SUSPICION, HIGH CRIME AREAS AND A SUSPECT'S FLIGHT

Reprinted from PATC