NCJ Number
38244
Date Published
1976
Length
23 pages
Annotation
THIS MATHEMATICAL MODEL OF THE KIDNAPPING-RANSOM ACT DETERMINES OUTCOMES BASED ON PROBABILITIES OF VARIOUS SUBGAMES, SUCH AS THE CASE IN WHICH THE RANSON AMOUNT COUNTERBID IS TOO LOW, THE KIDNAPPER MAY KILL HIS VICTIM.
Abstract
DESPITE THE TITLE, THIS IS A FAIRLY SOPHISTICATED GAME THEORY APPROACH TO KIDNAPPING SITUATIONS. THE EXTENDED MODEL MAY BE OF INTEREST BEYOND THE SUBJECT OF KIDNAPPING. THE EXPLANATION OF A NUMBER OF OBSERVED CASES BY A DYNAMIC MODEL INVOLVING A PROBABILITY OF OPPORTUNITY RECOGNITION AND THE NUMBER OF PROFITABLE OPPORTUNITIES MAY BE APPLICABLE TO OTHER CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES.