Hostage and Barricade Incidents: A Profiling Perspective

156 Pages·2001·5.2 MB·English

by  Murphy, R. A.

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A THESIS
Submitted by Richard A. Murphy
in partial fulfillment ofthe requirements
for the degree ofMaster ofPublic Administration
Accepted by the thesis committee:
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Terry D, ryorris, chair date
William L. Chappell
Received by the program director:
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HOSTAGE AND BARRICADE INCIDENTS:
A PROFILING PERSPECTIVE
by
Richard A. Murphy
B.S., Columbus College, 1991
M.P.A., Columbus State University, 1999
A
Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
ofthe Requirements for the Degree
MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
COLUMBUS, GEORGIA
2001

ABSTRACT
The Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation (GBI) has initiated a research project that
profiles the perpetrators ofhostage and barricade incidents. This research is conducted
using a questionnaire that is completed at incident conclusion. The questionnaire was
provide by the FBI as part ofa project called HOBAS (Hostage, Barricade, and
..
Suicide). The HOBAS information is distributed electronically and in print to member
law enforcement agencies. HOBAS information is used in this project as the main source
ofsecondary data. The University ofLouisville School ofMedicine supplied an
additional source ofsecondary data.
There are 24 questionnaires that make up the primary information. The HOBAS
database covers 1,828 incidents, and 120 incidents are described in the information from
Louisville. There is not enough primary data to constitute valid research from a statistical
standpoint. However, for the purposes offuture research, the three sources are listed and
discussed in a preliminary manner. The premise that the perpetrators ofthese incidents
and the incidents themselves have common factors is demonstrated. Unique aspects of
the incidents that have occurred in Georgia are also discussed.