Author(s): Margaret DIEKHUIS-KUIPER
Publication name: Romanian Intelligence Studies Review
Publisher name: Mihai Viteazul National Intelligence Academy
Publication type: Journal article
Publication date: June 30, 2019
Pagination:
Issue/ Volume: 21/2019
DOI:
Abstract
This study focused on digital and handwritten threats against individuals in
what are known as the national security domain. Being threatened may stir up feelings
of fear or unrest. Making threats towards people in the public domain can influence the
public debate and may even jeopardize the democratic legal order when a fear of
(repeated) threat stands in the way of open and frank discussion. Threats, and the
subsequent assessment and decision-making process, are time-consuming and difficult,
without other available documents. The main question was: which characteristics can be
linked to criminal acts? Insights were gained from threat studies and from forensic
linguistics to better understand the motives of those writing threatening letters.
Bivariate- and logistic regression analysis were used for assessing characteristics in 450
letters. Mental confusion, which was operationalized in the theoretical framework as
incoherent use of language, was linked to repeated threats. Mental confusion and hate
increased the likelihood of being arrested for violence behaviour.
Keywords: Public figures, violent behaviour, communicated threats, threat
assessment, offender characteristics, forensic linguistics
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