Research Review of Public Figure Threats, Approaches, Attacks, and Assassinations in the United States

• NCJ Number: 207187
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 49 Issue: 5 Dated: September 2004 Pages: 1086-1093
• Author(s): J. Reid Meloy Ph.D.; David V. James M.A.; Frank R. Farnham M.B.; Paul E. Mullen; Michele Pathe; Brian Darnley; Louisa Preston
• Date Published: September 2004
• Length: 8 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Literature Review
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This literature review examined research on threats, approaches, attacks, and assassinations of public figures in the United States.

Abstract

The relevant literature, which is sparse but significant, can be divided into the following categories: threatening letters and approaches to celebrities; attacks and assassinations of public figures, usually the President of the United States; threats and approaches to legislative members of State and Federal governments; threats, approaches, and attacks against Federal judicial officials; and discoveries concerning threats, approaches, and attacks that generalize to all studied targets. Findings from each of these areas of the literature are presented in this paper. Among the consistent findings are that perpetrators' motivations and goals for targeting public figures vary but involve a strong personal and emotional value for the perpetrator; and the intensity of contact behavior that does not involve a physical approach may indicate mental illness in the perpetrator. Many perpetrators manifest a downward spiral in their lives and mental states in the months or year prior to an approach or attack. If an attack occurs, it is typically instrumental and premeditated rather than emotional and reactive. The weapon of choice for such an attack is usually a firearm. Practical guidance and research recommendations are offered. 29 references