PERFORMANCE OF BEHAVIOURAL ANALYSIS AS AN INSTRUMENT FOR DETECTION OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Abstract

The following report outlines the human trafficking as a crime affecting the societal wellbeing of the contemporary world. It presents the different forms of exploitation arising from it such as sexual and pornographic exploitation, labour exploitation, coercion into illegal actions, organ selling, etc. The research emphasises on the necessity of developing and implementing adequate countermeasures for combating human trafficking. It also outlines the importance of formulating and applying strategies and policies in connection to the human trafficking issues. The normative documents should be aligned with the existing legislation and should set certain objectives and priorities.
Regarding all that, the report introduces the behavioural analysis as an instrument for detection of human trafficking victims. The logic behind it is connected to the assumption that the victims are likely to experience a high level of stress and express specific behavioural traits indicating they might be involved as victims in this crime. Based on the behavioural analysis these people could be distinguished and properly assisted.
That could be achieved through indicators, divided into three groups such as:
 Those affecting the physical appearance of the person – lack of medical or dental care, physical injuries and traumas, signs of malnourishment, signs of substance abuse problems, etc.;
 Those affecting the emotional state and behaviour arising from it – sudden change in the behaviour, disorientation or confusion, signs of avoiding eye contact or social interaction, nervousness or paranoia, anxious or tense behaviour in front of law enforcement officials, signs of submissive behaviour, etc.;
 Those affecting the person’s actions and personal belongings – lack of official identification documents, scripted or translated responses during interactions, presence of a “guarding” person, lack of basic resources, etc.
The presented in the report indicators could be considered by the involved in the combating human trafficking process specialists and could be applied by different institutions and organizations. The behavioural analysis’s indicators should be observed in their entirety and not separately in order to provide useful picture on whether certain person is a human trafficking victim or not. The abnormal behaviour should be carefully determined as such in order not to create misunderstood assumptions regarding the observed individuals and their circumstances.