Bent Minds

A criminal psychologist identifies traits of psychopathy and asserts some characteristics may be useful

Secret Looking Glass

One of the best skills an investigator can have is an innate ability to read people.  And what reading a person is exactly may be debatable.  Suffice to say, this ability affords some with being able to see through disguises or to unconsciously detect unseen clues about the true nature and motivations of people. Sure, some skills related to understanding the behaviors and intentions of people can be taught but when it comes to this so called sixth sense, it is truly a gift.

Advantage for the good

The investigator who can capture some hidden essence about a subject, whether it be a client, witness or suspect, gains an invaluable upper hand. With this feeling or intuition, the investigator realizes a great vision which allows for maneuverability when aptly applied.  The investigator is able to avoid pitfalls and dead ends and it may help with quickly finding the truth.

Advantage for the not-so-good

Interestingly, persons diagnosed with psychopathic tendencies may also possess the characteristics of someone who can effectually read people.  In a recent article about the work of Professor Robert Hare who is a criminal psychologist, he identifies a set of attributes psychopaths typically possess. One of which was the ability to be cunning and manipulative.

Tables turned

Dr Hare’s research indicates psychopaths somehow know what you’re feeling, but are unable to feel it themselves.  And because of this, psychopaths can understand what you’re thinking and can use you against yourself because they don’t care.  This begs the question: What does the investigator do when confronted with someone who is more cunning and manipulative than you?

Test yourself

According you Dr. Hare, you or someone you know could fall on the psychopathy spectrum.  The characteristics of a psychopath, as identified by Dr. Hare are listed below.  Score it 0 if it does not apply, 1 if it partially applies or 2 if it fully applies.

1. Glibness and superficial charm  

   

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2. Grandiose sense of self-worth 
3. Pathological lying
4. Cunning/manipulative 
5. Lack of remorse 
6. Emotional shallowness 
7. Callousness and lack of empathy 
8. Unwillingness to accept responsibility for actions 
9. A tendency to boredom 
10. A parasitic lifestyle 
11. A lack of realistic long-term goals 
12. Impulsivity 
13. Irresponsibility 
14. Lack of behavioral control 
15. Behavioral problems in early life 
16. Juvenile delinquency 
17. Criminal versatility 
18. A history of “revocation of conditional release” (i.e. broken parole)
19. Multiple marriages 
20. Promiscuous sexual behavior

According to Dr. Hare a “pure, prototypical psychopath would score 40. A score of 30 or more qualifies for a diagnosis of psychopath.”

Use it to your advantage

Dr. Hare goes on to assert that some psychopathic traits can be beneficial.   For example, being cunning and manipulative can certainly a desirable attribute, especially if you are a professional investigator.  But is being cunning and manipulative the same as having the ability to read people. From an intent perspective, both afford the ability to gain the upper hand. The difference lies in how the person being read suffers from the encounter.

Match of wits

Not every interviewee will be a game of high stakes chess like Clarice versus Hannibal in the Silence of the Lambs.  But, if Dr. Hare’s assertion is true and there is a spectrum of psycohpathy, then it would be incumbent upon the investigator to seek out these signs in the people they encounter.  While only a professional can label someone a psychopath, the astute person can certainly read the tea leaves and leverage that information to their advantage.  Is that psychotic or what?