Introduction. Abduction or Kidnapping, the Legal Definition. Intent. The Money Factor. Varying Laws. Demographic Distribution of Kidnap Incidents. Latin America. Asia. Africa. The Middle East. The United States of America. Other Western Countries. Kidnapping by Terrorists. Attack Recognition and Personal Security Strategies. General Security Tips. Vehicle Selection. Tipper Truck. 4 × 4. SUV. Pickup Truck. Saloon. Armoring a Vehicle against Small Arms Fire. History. Mechanism of Bullet-Resistant Materials. Up-Armoring the Bodywork of a Vehicle. Bullet-Resistant Transparent Materials. Modern Developments in Transparent Bullet-Resistant Materials. Up-Armoring the Glass in a Vehicle. Fully Armored Vehicles. Defensive Driving. Basics. Additional Precautions. Tactical Driving. Three Basic Rules of Defensive Driving. Using the Vehicle as a Battering Ram. General Tips for Driving Awareness and Safety. Specialized Driving Techniques. Self-Defense Strategies. Self-Defense Concepts. Universal Flinch Theory. Strategies for Self-Protection. Abduction by Car. Restraints. Be Observant. Escape and Recapture. Dealing with an Abductor’s Weapon. Kidnapping from Ships, Oil Rigs, and Industrial Plants. Kidnapping from Tankers, Ships, and Yachts. Nonlethal Countermeasures to Deter Pirates. Lethal Countermeasures. Ammunition Selection for Shotguns. Oil and Gas Rigs. Personal Protection: Body Armor. Bullet-Resistant Vests. History. Mechanism of Bullet-Resistant Materials. Standards for BRV Threat Levels. Considerations to Be Taken When Choosing a BRV. Personal Protection: Weapons. Personal (Rape) Alarm. Telescopic Steel Baton. Tear Gas. Tear Gas Sprays. Tear Gas Guns. Stun Guns. Firearms. Weapon Type Selection. Selection of Caliber and Weapon. Weapons Likely to Be Used by Kidnappers and Terrorists. Small Arms. Other Weapons Likely to Be Utilized in a Kidnap Situation. Survival on Being Kidnapped. Obse
Brian J. Heard is an internationally chartered chemist with a degree in analytical chemistry and a post-graduate diploma in forensic science from the British Forensic Science Society. He is a former deputy head of the New Scotland Yard Forensic Firearms Examination Laboratory where he was part of the armed response and hostage team and trained as a negotiator for hostage, suicide, and other armed and unarmed incidents. He spent 20 years as a Royal Hong Kong Police Force ballistics officer prior to serving as the Director of the Hong Kong Police Forensic Firearms Examination Bureau. Awarded numerous medals for his work in Hong Kong, he has also published seven books on ballistics, firearms, and other topics.