A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT SITUATIONS AND FACTORS MAY AFFECT THE OUTCOME WHEN HOSTAGES ARE TAKEN. ON THE ONE HAND, THE SOLITARY INDIVIDUAL WHO HOLDS HOSTAGES IS ALMOST ALWAYS MENTALLY DISTURBED AND A KIDNAPPING CAN BE THE DESPERATE ATTEMPT OF AN INDIVIDUAL TO GAIN RENOWN. ON THE OTHER HAND, REACTIONS OF A GROUP TAKING HOSTAGES, WHETHER ACCORDING TO A CAREFUL PLAN OR ON THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT TO AVOID CAPTURE, ARE GENERALLY RATIONAL. HOWEVER, IN ALL CASES A PSYCHIATRIST IS USEFUL IN DETERMINING THE MENTAL STATE OF THE INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP (NORMAL OR SICK, SELF-DESTRUCTIVE OR BENT ON SELF-PRESERVATION). IN TAKING HOSTAGES, THE INDIVIDUAL MAY BE TRYING TO RESOLVE A SITUATION IN WHICH HE HAS LOST CONTROL, AND THE SERIOUSNESS OF HIS THREATS MUST BE CAREFULLY WEIGHED. VICTIMS (RANGING FROM BUSINESS EXECUTIVES TO FAMILY MEMBERS) CAN EITHER FIGHT OR ESCAPE, RETREAT INTO THEMSELVES, OR COOPERATE WITH THEIR CAPTORS. FREQUENTLY VICTIMS IDENTIFY WITH THEIR CAPTORS BUT VICTIMS MUST KEEP IN MIND THAT IN STRESSFUL SITUATIONS THE FRAGILE RELATIONSHIP MAY DISSOLVE. FOR MAXIMUM SAFETY OF THE HOSTAGES THE POLICE MUST BE AWARE BOTH OF THEIR MENTALITY AND OF ANY MEDICAL PROBLEMS REQUIRING DAILY CARE. STEPS FOR HOSTAGE TAKING INCLUDE THE TAKEOVER WITH INTENSE ANXIETY AND TENSION ON THE PART OF THE OFFENDERS, THEN FORMULATION OF POSITIONS AND NEGOTIATION, AND FINALLY RESOLUTION. NEGOTIATORS MUST BE ABLE TO LISTEN WITHOUT BECOMING ANGRY, SEE THE OFFENDERS' POINT OF VIEW, REDUCE TENSION, AND CARRY OUT PROMISES. SUGGESTIONS FOR PREVENTION ARE EDUCATION OF POTENTIAL VICTIMS, SIGNING OF INTERNATIONAL TREATIES AGAINST TERRORISM, COOPERATION AMONG POLICE, OFFICIALS, AND JOURNALISTS, AND REDUCTION OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR KIDNAPPINGS (E.G., CHECKING AIR PASSENGERS). --IN FRENCH. (KMD)