ABSTRACT
The above scenario illustrates two of the special populations negotiators are encountering on a more frequent basis: warfi ghters and the elderly. These are not the only two, however. Negotiators are responding with ever-greater frequency to negotiate with “special” populations. Murder/suicide rates among the elderly (and negotiations) are increasing in frequency and are expected to continue rising for the next several decades ( MSNBC, 2007 ). Hostage taking, barricading, and suicide rates among juveniles are increasing ( Bridge et al., 2008 ). Negotiators and police are dealing more and more with returning warfi ghters and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. As the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq wind down, stress-related issues, suicide rates, and other issues will continue to increase among warfi ghters. Police are asked to intervene with warfi ghters experiencing these and other issues on a regular basis. In addition, barricade and hostage-taking incidents among juveniles are increasing.
