A content analysis of initial proof of life hostage videos released by international terrorist groups

ABSTRACT

After a hostage has been kidnapped and moved to an unknown location, ideologically motivated hostage takers often provide a video demonstrating proof of capture and proof of life. Proof of life videos are one way to establish that a hostage is alive and has been kidnapped. Moreover, the video serves as communication between terrorist hostage takers and the families and also the governments of the hostages. This research is a content analysis of proof of life videos of victims kidnapped by international terrorist organizations. Eighteen proof of life videos, which contained thirty-six hostages and were the first videos released after the kidnappings, were analyzed. Frequencies were run to determine the prevalence of different variables at both the hostage level and the video level. Results show that videos typically only contained one hostage and hostage takers were rarely seen. Physical contact between the hostage takers and hostages was uncommon as was seeing hostages with visible restraints. A majority of the hostages spoke, but the themes of their statements varied widely. Understanding the similarities and differences between proof of life videos across terrorist groups and statements the hostages are allowed or are told to make will enhance the preparation of an operational response.

KEYWORDS:

• Hostages
• proof of life
• terrorism

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Mark J. Rossin is a retired supervisory special agent with the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit 1. He served as a special agent for 21 years, where he spent the majority of his time working international terrorism cases.

Sarah W. Craun is the research coordinator for FBI Behavioral Analysis Units 1 and 4. Prior to this position she spent time as a statistician at the US Marshals Service and as an assistant professor in Social Work at the University of Tennessee.

Michelle L. Miller is the Command Forensic Psychologist for the United States Army Criminal Investigation Division. During her 11 years in the Army, she has worked as Brigade Psychologist, SERE Psychologist, and Forensic Psychologist. She has spent 3.5 years providing consultation to the FBI's BAU.

Matthew R. Collier is a Supervisory Special Agent with the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit-1 where his efforts are focused on counterterrorism and threat matters. He has been an agent for 20 years. His previous assignments include San Diego Division, San Juan Division, the Crisis Negotiation Unit, and Legat Madrid.

Notes

1. Although Loertscher and Milton (2015) acknowledge that the data on ransom payments for hostages is unreliable, they do point to open-source news reports that state European countries have paid ransom to jihadist groups in the past.

2. Written communications between the hostages, hostage takers and negotiators also provide insight for the negotiation process, but that is beyond the scope of this study.