Hostage and Crisis Negotiation, Perspectives on an Interactive Process

Active shooter-scenarios, terrorist attacks and kidnapping, both domestic and abroad, has increased the need for effective tactical crisis communication. In this chapter we discuss resolution through dialogue and will argue that the models presented can change unfolding events in high-stress situations and alter presumably unnegotiable scenarios. Starting with a backdrop on the evolution of hostage and crisis negotiation, we provide an overview of contemporary approaches following both a forensic psychology, law enforcement and linguistic perspective. You will learn how a communicator in a high-stress situation can adapt a coherent strategy of behavioural change and how active listening is used as a vital tool in negotiations. In the last section you will be presented with an excerpt from an active shooter situation and how the dialogue with the perpetrator unfolded