SATANIC, OCCULT, RITUALISTIC CRIME:

                       A LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSPECTIVE


                         Kenneth V. Lanning, M.S.


             National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime
                                FBI Academy
                            Quantico, Virginia



                               October 1989


INTRODUCTION

        The belief that there is a connection between satanism and crime is
certainly  not new.  In fact, one of the oldest theories of crime causation
is  demonology.   Concern  about satanic or occult activity has peaked from
time  to  time  throughout  history.   Concern  in  the  late 1970s focused
primarily on "unexplained" deaths and mutilations of animals, and in recent
years  has focused on child sexual abuse and the human sacrifice of missing
children.   In  1999  it  will  probably focus on the impending "end of the
world."


        Today,  satanism  and  a  wide  variety  of  other  terms  are used
interchangeably  in  reference  to  certain  crimes.   This discussion will
analyse  the  nature  of  "satanic, occult, ritualistic" crime and focus on
appropriate LAW ENFORCEMENT responses to it.


        Recently  a  flood of law enforcement seminars and conferences have
dealt  with satanic and ritualistic crime.  These training conferences have
various  titles,  such  as "Occult in Crime," "Satanic Cults," "Ritualistic
Crime  Seminar," "Satanic Influences in Homicide," "Occult Crimes, Satanism
and Teen Suicide," and "Ritualistic Abuse of Children."


        The typical conference runs from one to three days and many of them
include  the same presenters and instructors.  A wide variety of topics are
usually  discussed  during this training either as individual presentations
by  different  instructors  or grouped together by one or more instructors.
Typical topics covered include the following:


1.      Historical  overview  of  satanism,  witchcraft,  and paganism from
        ancient to modern times.

2.      Nature  and the influence of fantasy role-playing games games, such
        as Dungeons and Dragons.

3.      Lyrics, symbolism, and influence of rock and roll, Heavy Metal, and
        Black Metal music.

4.      Teenage "stoner" gangs, their symbols and their vandalism.

5.      Teenage suicide by adolescents dabbling in the occult.

6.      Crimes  committed  by  self-styled satanic practitioners, including
        grave  and  church  desecrations and robberies, animal mutilations,
        and even murders.

7.      Ritualistic  abuse  of  children  as part of bizarre ceremonies and
        human sacrifices.

8.      Organised,  Traditional, or Multigeneration satanic groups involved
        in  organized  conspiracies,  such as taking over day care centers,
        infiltrating police departments, and trafficking in human sacrifice
        victims.

9.      The  "Big  Conspiracy"  theory,  which  implies  that satanists are
        responsible  for  such  things  as  Adolph  Hitler,  World  War II,
        abortion,  pornography,  Watergate,  Irangate, and influence of the
        Department of Justice, the Pentagon and the White House.


        During  the  conferences,  these  nine  areas  are  linked together
through  the  liberal  use of the word "satanism" and some common symbolism
(pentagrams,  666,  demons,  etc.).   The implication often is that all are
part  of  a  continuum  of  behavior,  a  single  problem  or  some  common
conspiracy.   The  information  presented  is  a mixture of fact, theories,
opinion,  fantasy,  and  paranoia,  and because some of it can be proven or
corroborated  (desecration of cemeteries, vandalism, etc.), the implication
is  that  it  is  all  true  and  documented.   The  distinctions among the
different  areas are blurred even if occasionally a presenter tries to make
them.   This  is  complicated  by  the  fact  that almost any discussion of
satanism  or witchcraft is interpreted in light of the religious beliefs of
those in the audience.  Faith, not logic and reason, controls the religious
beliefs  of  most  people.   As  a  result,  some  normally  skeptical  law
enforcement   officers   accept   the  information  disseminated  at  these
conferences  without  critically  evaluating it or questioning the sources.
Nothing  said  at such conferences will change the religious beliefs of the
attendees.   Such  conferences illustrate the ambiguity and wide variety of
terms involved in this issue.



DEFINITIONS

        The   words   satanic,  occult,  and  ritualistic  are  often  used
interchangeably.   It  is  difficult  to  precisely define Satanism (with a
capital  S),  and  no attempt will be made to do so here.  However satanism
(with  a  small  s)  is  used by many people.  Simply put, for some people,
satanism  is  any  religious  belief  system  other  than  their  own.  The
Ayatollah  Khomeini  referred to the United States as the "Great Satan." In
the   British   Parliament,   a  Protestant  leader  called  the  Pope  the
anti-Christ.  In a book titled Prepare For Ware, the author, Rebecca Brown,
M.D.,  has a chapter entitled "Is Roman Catholicism Witchcraft?" Dr.  Brown
also  lists  among the "doorways" to satanic power and/or demon infestation
the    following:    fortune   tellers,   horoscopes,   fraternity   oaths,
vegetarianism,   yoga,   self-hypnosis,   relaxation   tapes,  acupuncture,
biofeedback,   fantasy   role-playing   games,   adultery,   homosexuality,
pornography,  judo,  karate,  and  rock music.  Dr.  Brown states that rock
music "was a carefully masterminded plan by none other that Satan himself."
The  ideas  in  this  book  may seem extreme and even humorous.  This book,
however,  has  been  recommended  as a serious reference in law enforcement
training material on this topic.


        In books, lectures, handout material, and conversations, the author
has heard all of the following referred to as satanism:

Church of Satan                         Stoner Gangs
Ordo Templi Orientis                    Heavy Metal Music
Temple of Set                           Rock Music
Demonology                              KKK
Witchcraft                              Nazis
Paganism                                Scientology
Santeria                                Unification Church
Voodoo                                  The Way
Rosicrucians                            Hare Krishna
Freemasonry                             Rajneesh
Knights Templar                         Religious Cults

                        New Age
                        Astrology
                        Channeling
                        Transcendental Meditation
                        Holistic Medicine
                        Buddhism
                        Hinduism
                        Mormonism
                        Islam
                        Orthodox Church
                        Roman Catholic


        At  law  enforcement  training  conferences,  witchcraft, santeria,
paganism,  and  the occult are frequently referred to as forms of satanism.
It  may be a matter of definition, but these things are not necessarily the
same  as  traditional  Satanism.  The worship of lunar goddesses and nature
and  the  practice  of  fertility  rituals are not satanism.  Santeria is a
combination of 17th century Roman Catholicism and African paganism.


        Occult  means  simply  "hidden."  All unreported or unsolved crimes
might  be  regarded  as  occult, but in this context the term refers to the
action  or influence of supernatural powers, some secret knowledge of them,
or  an  interest  in paranormal phenomena.  Occult does not imply satanism,
evil,  wrongdoing,  or  crime.   Indeed,  historically the principle crimes
deserving of consideration as "occult crimes" are the frauds perpetrated by
fortune  tellers and "psychics" who for a fee arrange visitations with dead
loved ones and commit other financial crimes against the gullible.


        Many   individuals   define   satanism  from  a  totally  Christian
perspective,  using  this  word to describe the power of evil in the world.
With  this  definition, any crimes, especially those which are particularly
bizarre,  repulsive, or cruel, can be viewed as satanic in nature.  Yet, it
is  just  as  difficult  to precisely define satanism as it is to precisely
define Christianity or any complex spiritual belief system.



What is Ritualistic Crime?

        The  biggest  confusion,  however,  is  over  the word ritualistic.
During  law  enforcement  training  conferences  on this topic, ritualistic
almost  always  comes  to  mean  satanic or at least spiritual.  Ritual can
refer to a prescribed religious ceremony, but in its broader meaning refers
to  any  customarily  repeated  act  or series of acts.  The need to repeat
these acts can be cultural, sexual, or psychological as well as spiritual.


        Cultural rituals could include such things as what a family eats on
Thanksgiving  Day  or  when  and how presents are opened at Christmas.  The
initiation  ceremonies of fraternities, sororities, gangs, and other social
clubs are other examples of cultural rituals.


        Since  1972,  the author has lectured about sexual ritualism, which
is  nothing  more than repeatedly engaging in an act or series of acts in a
certain  manner  because of sexual need.  In order to become aroused and/or
gratified,  a  person must engage in the act in a certain way.  This sexual
ritualism  can include things such as the physical characteristics, age, or
gender  of  the  victim,  the  particular sequence of acts, the bringing or
taking  of specific objects, and the use of certain words or phrases.  This
is  more than the concept of M.O.(Method of Operation) known to most police
officers.  M.O.  is something done by an offender because it works.  Sexual
ritual  is  something done by an offender because of a need.  Deviant acts,
such  as urinating on, defecating on, or even eviscerating a victim are far
more  likely  to  be  the  result  of  sexual  ritualism  than religious or
"satanic" ritualism.


        From  a  criminal  investigation  perspective,  two  other forms of
ritualism  must  be  recognised.   The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental  Disorders  (DSM-III-R)  defines  Obsessive-Compulsive  Disorders as
"repetitive,  purposeful,  and  intentional behaviors that are performed in
response to an obsession, or according to certain rules or in a stereotyped
fashion."  Such  compulsive behavior frequently involves rituals.  Although
such behavior usually involves non-criminal activity such as excessive hand
washing   or  checking  that  doors  are  locked,  occasionally  compulsive
ritualism   can   be  part  of  criminal  activity.   Certain  gamblers  or
firesetters,  for  example, are thought by some authorities to be motivated
in  part  through  such  compulsions.   Ritual can also stem from psychotic
hallucinations and delusions.  A crime can be committed in a precise manner
because  a  voice  told  the offender to do it that way or because a divine
mission required it.


        To  make  this  more  confusing,  cultural,  religious, sexual, and
psychological ritualism can overlap.  Some psychotic people are preoccupied
with religious delusions and hear the voice of God or Satan telling them to
do  things of a religious nature.  Offenders who feel little, if any, guilt
over  their  crimes  may  need  little  justification  for their antisocial
behavior.   As  human  beings,  however,  they may have fears, concerns and
anxiety  over  getting  away  with their criminal acts.  It is difficult to
pray  to God for success in doing things that are against His Commandments.
A  negative  spiritual  belief  system  may  fulfil  their  human  need for
assistance  from  and  belief  in  a  greater  power  or to deal with their
superstitions.   Compulsive  ritualism (e.g., excessive cleanliness or fear
of  disease)  can  be  introduced into sexual behavior.  Even many "normal"
people have a need for order and predictability and therefore may engage in
family  or work rituals.  Under stress or in times of change, this need for
order and ritual may increase.


        Ritualistic  crime  may fulfil the cultural, spiritual, sexual, and
psychological   needs  of  an  offender.   Crimes  may  be  ritualistically
motivated  or  may have ritualistic elements.  The ritual behavior may also
fulfil  basic criminal needs to manipulate victims, get rid of rivals, send
a  message  to  enemies,  and intimidate co-conspirators.  The leaders of a
group  may  want to play upon the beliefs and superstitions of those around
them  and  try  to  convince accomplices and enemies that they, the leader,
have special or "supernatural" powers.


        The  important  point  for  the criminal investigator is to realise
that  most ritualistic criminal behavior is not motivated simply by satanic
or religious ceremonies.  At some conferences, presenters have attempted to
make  an  issue  of  distinguishing  between  "ritual,"  "ritualized,"  and
"ritualistic"  abuse of children.  These subtle distinctions, however, seem
to be of no significant value to the criminal investigator.



What is Ritualistic Abuse of Children?

        It  is  not  an easy question to answer.  Most people today use the
term  to  refer  to  abuse  of children that is part of some evil spiritual
belief system, which almost by definition must be satanic.


        Dr.    Lawrence  Pazder,  author  of  Michelle  Remembers,  defines
ritualized  abuse of children as "repeated physical, emotional, mental, and
spiritual  assaults  combined  with  a systematic use of symbols and secret
ceremonies  designed  to  turn a child against itself, family, society, and
God."  He  also  states that "sexual assault has ritualistic meaning and is
not for sexual gratification."


        This  definition  may  have  value for academics, sociologists, and
therapists, but it creates potential problems for law enforcement.  Certain
acts  engaged  in  with children (kissing, touching, appearing naked, etc.)
may  be criminal if performed for sexual gratification.  If the ritualistic
acts  were  in  fact  performed  for  spiritual  indoctrination,  potential
prosecution can be jeopardised, particularly if the acts can be defended as
constitutionally  protected  religious  expression.   The  mutilation  of a
baby's  genitals  for sadistic pleasure is a crime.  The circumcission of a
baby's  genitals  for  religious  reasons  is most likely NOT a crime.  The
intent of acts is important for criminal prosecution.


        The  author  has  been unable to precisely define ritualistic abuse
and  prefers  not  to  use  this  term.   It  is confusing, misleading, and
counter-productive.   Certain  observations,  however,  are  important  for
investigative understanding.


        Not  all  spiritually  motivated  ritualistic  activity is satanic.
Santeria,  witchcraft,  voodoo,  and most religious cults are not satanism.
In  fact,  most  spiritually  or  religiously  based  abuse of children has
nothing  to  do  with  satanism.   Most  child  abuse  that could be termed
ritualistic  by  various  definitions  is  more  likely  to be physical and
psychological  rather  than sexual in nature.  If a distinction needs to be
made  between  satanic  and nonsatanic child abuse, the indicators for that
distinction  must  be  related  to  specific satanic symbols, artifacts, or
doctrine rather than the mere presence of any ritualistic element.


        Not  all such ritualistic activity with a child is a crime.  Almost
all  parents  with  religious beliefs indoctrinate their children into that
belief  system.   Is  circumcision for religious reasons child abuse?  Does
having  a  child kneel on a hard floor reciting the rosary constitute child
abuse?   Does  having a child chant a satanic prayer or attend a black mass
constitute  child  abuse?   Does  a religious belief in corporal punishment
constitute  child  abuse?  Does group care of children in a commune or cult
constitute  child  abuse?   Does  the  fact  that any acts in question were
performed  with  parental  permission affect the nature of the crime?  Many
ritualistic acts, whether satanic or not, are simply not crimes.


        When  a victim describes and investigation corroborates what sounds
like  ritualistic  activity, several probabilities must be considered.  The
ritualistic activity may be part of the excessive religiosity of a mentally
ill,  psychotic  offender.   It  may also be a misunderstood part of sexual
ritualism.   The  ritualistic activity may be incidental to any real abuse.
The  offender may be abusing a child, but one may have little or nothing to
do with the other.


        The  offender  may be deliberately engaging in ritualistic activity
with  a  child as part of child abuse.  The motivation, however, may be not
to  indoctrinate  the  child  into  a  belief  system,  but  to  lower  the
inhibitions of, to control and manipulate, and/or to confuse the child.  In
all  the turmoil over this issue, it would be a very effective strategy for
any  child  molester  to deliberately introduce ritualistic elements to his
crime to confuse the child and therefore the criminal justice system.


        The  ritualistic activity and the child abuse may be integral parts
of  some  spiritual  belief system.  In that case, the greatest risk to the
children  of  the  practitioners.   But this is true of all cults, not just
satanic cults.  A high potential of abuse exists for any children raised in
a  group  isolated  from the mainstream of society, especially if the group
has  a  charismatic leader whose orders are unquestioned and blindly obeyed
by  the members.  Sex, money, and power are most often the main motivations
of the leader of such cults.


What Makes a Crime Satanic, Occult, or Ritualistic?

        Some  would  answer  that it is the offender's spiritual beliefs or
membership  in  a cult or "church".  If that is the criteria, why not label
the  crimes  committed by Protestants, Catholics, and Jews in the same way?
Are the atrocities of Jim Jones, in Guyana, Christian crimes?


        Some would answer that it is the presence of certain symbols in the
possession  or  home  of the perpetrator.  What does it mean then to find a
crucifix,  Bible, rosary, etc., in the possession or home of a bank robber,
embezzler, child molester, or murderer?  If different criminals possess the
same symbols, are they necessarily part of one big conspiracy?


        Other  would answer that it is the presence of certain symbols such
as  pentagrams, inverted crosses, and 666 at the crime scene.  What does it
mean  then  to find a cross spray painted on a wall or carved into the body
of  a victim?  What does it mean for a perpetrator to leave a Bible tied to
his   murder   victim?    What  about  the  possibility  that  an  offender
deliberately left such symbols to make it look like "satanic" crime?


        Some  would  argue  that  it is the bizarreness or cruelness of the
crime:   body  mutilation,  amputation, drinking of blood, eating of flesh,
use  of  urine  or  feces.  Does this mean that all individuals involved in
lust murder, sadism, vampirism, cannibalism, urophilia, and coprophilia are
satanists  or  occult  practitioners?  What does this say about the bizarre
crimes  of  psychotic killer such as Ed Gein or Richard Trenton Chase, both
of whom mutilated their victims as part of their psychotic delusions?


        A few might even answer that it is the fact the crime was committed
on  a date with satanic significance or occult significance (Halloween, May
Eve,  etc.)  or the fact that the perpetrator claims that Satan told him to
commit the crime.  What does this mean for crimes committed on Thanksgiving
or  Christmas?   What  does this say about crimes committed by perpetrators
who  claim  that  God or Jesus told them to do it?  One note of interest is
the  fact  that  in handout and reference material collected by the author,
the  number  of  dates with satanic or occult significance ranges form 8 to
110.   This  is  compounded  by  the  fact that it is sometimes stated that
satanists  can  celebrate  these holidays on several days on either side of
the  official date or that birthdays of practitioners can also be holidays.
The  exact names and exact dates of the holidays and the meaning of symbols
listed  may  also vary depending on who prepared the material.  The handout
material is often distributed without identifying the author or documenting
the  original source of the information.  It is then frequently photocopied
by  attendees  and  passed  on  to other police officers with no one really
knowing its validity or origins.


        Most,  however,  would  probably  answer  that  what  makes a crime
satanic,  occult,  or ritualistic is the motivation for the crime.  It is a
crime that is spiritually motivated by a religious belief system.  How then
do we label the following true crimes?


a.      Parents defy a court order and send their children to an unlicensed
        Christian school.

b.      Parents  refuse  to  send their children to any school because they
        are waiting for the second coming of Christ.

c.      Parents beat their child to death because he or she will not follow
        their Christian beliefs.

d.      Parents  violate  child  labor  laws because they believe the Bible
        requires such work.

e.      Individuals  bomb  an  abortion clinic or kidnap the doctor because
        their religious belief system says abortion is murder.

f.      A  child  molester  reads  the  Bible  to  his  victims in order to
        justify his sex acts with them.

g.      Parents refuse life-saving medical treatment for a child because of
        their religious beliefs.

h.      Parents starve and beat their child to death because their minister
        said the child was possessed by demonic spirits.


        Some people would argue that the Christians who committed the above
crimes  misunderstood  and  distorted  their  religion  while satanists who
commit  crimes  are  following  theirs.  But who decides what constitutes a
misinterpretation  of  a  religious  belief  system?   The  individuals who
committed the above-described crimes, however misguided, believed that they
were  following  their religion as they understood it.  Religion was and is
used  to  justify  such  social  behavior as the Crusades, the Inquisition,
Apartheid, segregation, violence in Northern Ireland, India, and Lebanon.


        Who  decides exactly what "satanists" believe?  In this country, we
cannot  even  agree  on  what  Christians believe.  At many law enforcement
conferences  The Satanic Bible is used for this, and it is often contrasted
or  compared with the Christian Bible.  The Satanic Bible is, in essence, a
150-page  paperback  book  written  by one man in 1969.  To compare it to a
book  written  by  over  30  authors over a period of thousands of years is
ridiculous,  even  ignoring  the  possibility  of  Divine revelation in the
Christian  Bible.   What satanists believe certainly isn't limited to other
peoples' interpretation of a few books.  More importantly, it is subject to
some  degree  of interpretation by individual believer just as Christianity
is.


        The  fact is that far more crime and child abuse has been committed
by  zealots  in  the  name  of  God, Jesus, and Mohammed that has ever been
committed in the name of Satan.  Many people don't like that statement, but
few can argue it.


        Although  defining a crime as satanic, occult, or ritualistic would
probably  involve a combination of the criteria set forth above, the author
has  been unable to clearly define such a crime.  Each potential definition
presents  a  different  set of problems when measured against an objective,
rational,  and  constitutional  perspective.   Each offender in a group may
have  a different motivation for the crime.  The author has discovered that
the  facts  of so-called "satanic crimes" are often significantly different
from  what  us  described at law enforcement training conferences or in the
media.   The  actual  involvement  of satanism or the occult in these cases
usually turns out to be secondary, insignificant, or nonexistent.



THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSPECTIVE

        The  perspective  with  which  one  looks  at  satanic,  occult, or
ritualistic   crimes  is  extremely  important.   Sociologist,  therapists,
religious  leaders,  parents,  and  just plain citizens each have their own
valid concerns and views about this issue.  This discussion, will deal ONLY
with the law enforcement perspective.


        The  law  enforcement  perspective  must focus on crime and clearly
recognize  that  just because an activity is "satanic" does not necessarily
mean  it  is  a  crime  or  that  it is not a legitimate religious practice
protected  by  the  First  Amendment.  Within the personal religious belief
system  of a law enforcement officer, Christianity may be good and satanism
evil.  Under the Constitution, however, both are neutral.


        This   is  an  important,  but  difficult,  concept  for  many  law
enforcement  officers  to accept.  They are paid to uphold the Constitution
and  enforce penal code, not the Ten Commandments.  The apparent increasing
numbers  of  teenagers  and some adults dabbling in satanism and the occult
may  be cause for concern to parents, school officials, and society.  What,
however,  law  enforcement  can  or  should  do about it is another matter.
police interference with free exercise of constitutional rights potentially
creates major problems and conflicts.


        What  is  the  justification  for  law  enforcement officers giving
presentations on satanism and the occult to citizen groups, PTA's or school
assemblies?  It is public relations, a safety program, or crime prevention?
If  it  is  crime  prevention,  how  much crime can be linked to satanic or
occult  activity  and  what do such presentations do to prevent crime?  Law
enforcement  agencies  should carefully consider the legal implications and
justification  for  such  presentations.   Is the fact that satanism or the
occult   is   or  can  be  a  negative  influence  on  some  people  enough
justification for such law enforcement efforts?


        When  you  combine  an  emotional issue such as the sexual abuse of
children  with  an  even  more  emotional  issue such as people's religious
beliefs,  it  is  difficult  to  maintain  objectivity and remember the law
enforcement perspective.  Some police officers may even feel that all crime
is caused by evil, all evil is caused by Satan, and therefore, all crime is
satanic  crime.  This may be a valid religious perspective, but it is of no
relevance to the investigation of crime for purposes of prosecution.


        Many  of the police officers who lecture on satanic or occult crime
do  not  even  investigate  such  cases.   Their  presentations  are more a
reflection   of   their   personal   religious   beliefs   than  documented
investigative  information.  They are absolutely entitled to their beliefs,
but  introducing  themselves  as current or former police officers and then
speaking as religious advocates causes confusion.  As difficult as it might
be,  police  officers  must  separate  the  religious  and  law enforcement
perspectives  when  they  are  lecturing or investigating in their official
capacities  as  law  enforcement  officers.   Many law enforcement officers
begin  their  presentations  by  stating  that  they  are not addressing or
judging anyone's religious beliefs, and then proceed to do exactly that.


        Some  police  officers  have  resigned rather than curtail or limit
their  involvement  in this issue as ordered by their departments.  Perhaps
such officers deserve credit for recognising that they could no longer keep
the perspective separate.


        Law  enforcement  officers  who  believe  that the investigation of
satanic/occult crime puts them in conflict with supernatural forces of evil
should probably not be assigned to these cases.  If, however, such officers
must  be  or  are assigned, they will need the power of their own spiritual
belief  system  in  order  to  deal  with  the  superstition  and religious
implications  of  these  cases.   The  religious beliefs of officers should
provide  spiritual  strength  and  support  for  them,  but  not affect the
objectivity and professionalism of the investigation.


        The law enforcement perspective requires avoiding the paranoia that
has  crept  into  this  issue and into some of the law enforcement training
conferences.   Paranoid  belief  systems  are  characterized by the gradual
development  of intricate, complex, and elaborate systems of thinking based
on  and often proceeding logically from misinterpretation of actual events.
It  typically involves hypervigilance over the perceived threat, the belief
that  danger  is  around  every  corner, and the willingness to take up the
challenge and do something about it.  Another very important aspect of this
paranoia  is the belief that those who do not recognise the threat are evil
and  corrupt.   In  this  extreme view, you are either with them or against
them.  You are either part of the solution or part of the problem.


        Concern  over  satanic  crime  and ritualistic abuse of children is
highly polarizing.  After one presentation on this topic, a student wrote a
critique  that the author was obviously an "agnostic cultist." Some zealots
even use the term "clean" to refer to law enforcement officers who have not
been  infiltrated  by  the  satanists.  If some police officers or military
personnel practice satanism or paganism does that mean that law enforcement
and  military  have  been infiltrated?  The word "infiltrated" is only used
when talking about an unpopular belief system.  Protestants, Catholics, and
Jews  are  no  longer thought of as "infiltrating" the police and military,
but not long ago Hews were thought by many to have done so.


        Overzealousness  and exaggeration motivated by the religious fervor
of  those involved in law enforcement training is more acceptable than that
motivated  by  ego  or  profit.   There  are  those  who  are  deliberately
distorting  and  hyping  this  issue  for  personal  notoriety  and profit.
Satanic  and  occult  crime  has  become a growth industry.  Speaking fees,
books,  video  and  audio  tapes, prevention material, television and radio
appearances all bring egoistic and financial rewards.


        Law enforcement officers must be objective fact finders.  It is not
their  job  to  believe children or other complainants.  It is their job to
listen.  The law enforcement perspective cannot ignore the lack of physical
evidence  (no  bodies  or  even  hairs,  fibres,  or fluids left by violent
murders);   the   difficulty   in  successfully  committing  a  large-scale
conspiracy  crime  (the  more  people involved in any crime conspiracy, the
harder  it  is to get away with it); and human nature (intragroup conflicts
resulting in individual self-serving disclosures would be bound to occur in
any  group  involved  in  organised  kidnapping,  baby  breeding  and human
sacrifice).  If and when members of a destructive cult commit murders, they
are  bound  to  make  admissions  in order to brag about their crimes or to
reduce  their  legal liability.  The discovery of the murders in Matamoros,
Mexico, in April, 1989, and the results of the subsequent investigation are
good examples of these dynamics.


        Bizarre   crime  and  evil  can  occur  without  organized  satanic
activity.   The  law  enforcement  perspective requires that we distinguish
between what we know and what we're not sure of.



The facts are:

a.      Some  individuals  believe  in and are involved in satanism and the
        occult.

b.      Some of these individuals commit crime.

c.      Some  groups  of individuals share these beliefs and involvement in
        satanism and the occult.

d.      Some members of these groups commit crimes together.



The unanswered questions are:

a.      What  is  the  connection  between the belief system and the crimes
        committed.

b.      Is  there  an organised conspiracy for satanic and occult believers
        responsible  for  inter-related  serious  crime (e.g., molestation,
        murder)?


        After  all  the hype and hysteria is put aside the realization sets
in  that most satanic/occult activity involves the commission of NO crimes,
and  that  which  does, usually involves the commission of relatively minor
crimes  such  as  trespassing,  vandalism,  cruelty  to  animals,  or petty
thievery.   The  law  enforcement  problems most often linked to satanic or
occult activity are:


1.      Vandalism

2.      Desecration of churches and cemeteries

3.      Thefts from churches and cemeteries

4.      Teenage gangs

5.      Animal mutilations

6.      Teenage suicide

7.      Child abuse

8.      Kidnapping

9.      Murder and human sacrifice


        Valid  evidence  shows  some  "connection" between satanism and the
occult and the first six problems set forth above.  The "connection" to the
last three problems is far more uncertain.


        Even  where  there  seems  to  be a "connection," the nature of the
connection  needs  to  be  explored.   It  is  easy to blame involvement in
satanism  and  the  occult  for behaviors that have complex motivations.  A
teenager's  excessive  involvement  in satanism and the occult is usually a
symptom  of a problem and not the cause of a problem.  Blaming satanism for
a  teenager's  vandalism,  theft,  suicide,  or  even act of murder is like
blaming  a criminal's offences on his tattoos:  both are often signs of the
same  rebelliousness  and  lack  of  self  esteem  that  contribute  to the
commission of crimes.


        The  law  enforcement  investigator  must  objectively evaluate the
legal  significance  of  any  criminal's spiritual beliefs.  In most cases,
including  those  satanists,  it will have little or no legal significance.
If  a  crime is committed as part of the spiritual belief system, it should
make  no  difference  which  belief  system  it  is.  The crime is the same
whether a child is abused or murdered as part of a Christian, Hare Krishna,
Moslem,  or  any other belief system.  We generally don't label crimes with
the  name  of the perpetrator's religion.  Why then are the crimes of child
molesters,  rapists,  sadists,  and  murderers who happen to be involved in
satanism and the occult labelled as satanic or occult crimes?  If criminals
use  a  spiritual belief system to rationalize and justify or to facilitate
and enhance their criminal activity, should the focus of law enforcement be
on the belief system or on the criminal activity?


        Several  documented  murders  have  been  committed  by individuals
involved in one way or another in satanism or the occult.  In some of these
murders,  the perpetrator has even introduced elements of the occult (e.g.,
satanic  symbols  at  crime  scene).   Does  that  automatically make these
satanic  murders?   It  is  the  author's  opinion  that  the answer is no.
Ritualistic  murders  committed by serial killers or sexual sadists are not
necessarily  satanic  or occult murders.  Ritualistic murders are committed
by  psychotic  killers  who  hear  the  voice  of satan are no more satanic
murderers  than murders committed by psychotic killer who hear the voice of
Jesus are Christian murderers.


        Rather,  a satanic murder can be defined as one committed by two or
more  individuals who rationally plan crime and whose PRIMARY motivation is
to  fulfil  a  prescribed  satanic  ritual  calling  for  murder.   By this
definition,  the  author  has  been  unable to identify even one documented
satanic  murder  in  the United States.  Although such murders may have and
can occur, they appear to be few in number.  In addition, the commission of
such  killings would probably be the beginning of the end for such a group.
it is unlikely that they could continue to kill several people, every year,
year after year, and not be discovered.


        A  brief typology of satanic and occult practitioners is helpful in
evaluating  what  relationship, if any, such practices have to crimes under
investigation.   The  following  typology is adapted from the investigative
experience of Officer Sandi Gallant of the San Francisco police Department,
who  began  to study the criminal aspects of occult activity long before it
became  popular.  No typology is perfect, but the author uses this typology
because it is simple and offers investigative insights.  Most practitioners
fall  into  one of three categories, any of which can be practiced alone or
in groups.


1.      Youth  Subculture - Most teenagers involved in fantasy role-playing
        games,  heavy  metal, or satanism an the occult are going through a
        stage  of  adolescent development and commit no significant crimes.
        The teenagers who have more serious problems are usually those from
        dysfunctional  families or those who have poor communication within
        their  families.  These troubled teenagers turn to satanism and the
        occult  to  overcome  a sense of alienation, to obtain power, or to
        justify  their antisocial behavior.  For these teenagers, it is the
        symbolism,  not  the spirituality, that is important.  It is either
        the  psychotic or the oddball, loner teenager who is most likely to
        get  into  serious trouble.  Extreme involvement in the occult is a
        symptom  of  a problem, not a cause.  This is not to deny, however,
        that satanism and the occult are negative influences for a troubled
        teenager.   But  to  hysterically  warn  teenagers  to  avoid  this
        "mysterious,  powerful  and  dangerous"  thing called satanism will
        drive  many  teenagers right to it.  Some rebellious teenagers will
        do  whatever will most shock and outrage society in order to flaunt
        their rejection of adult norms.


2.      Dabblers  (Self-styled)  - For these practitioners, there is little
        or  no  spiritual  motivation.   They  mix satanism, witchcraft and
        paganism.    Symbols   mean   whatever  they  want  them  to  mean.
        Molesters,  rapists,  drug  dealers and murderers may dabble in the
        occult  and  may commit their crimes in a ceremonial or ritualistic
        way.  This category has the potential to be the most dangerous, and
        most  of  the  "satanic"  killers  fall  into this category.  Their
        involvement  in  satanism  and the occult is a symptom of a problem
        and  a  rationalization  and  justification of antisocial behavior.
        Satanic/occult  practices  (as  well  as  those  of other spiritual
        belief  systems)  can be used as a mechanism to facilitate criminal
        objectives.


3.      Traditional   (Orthodox,   Multigenerational)   -  These  are  true
        believers.   They  are  usually wary of outsiders.  Because of this
        and  constitutional  issues,  such  groups  are  difficult  for law
        enforcement  to  penetrate.   Although  there is much we don't know
        about  these  groups, as of now there is little or no hard evidence
        that they are involved in serious, organised criminal activity.  In
        addition,   instead   of   being   self-perpetuating  master  crime
        conspirators,  true  believers probably have a similar problem with
        their teenagers rebelling against their belief system.


        Many  police officers ask what to look for during the search of the
scene  of  suspected  satanic  activity.   The  answer is simple:  look for
evidence  of  crime.   A pentagram is no more criminally significant than a
crucifix  unless  it  corroborates  a crime or a criminal conspiracy.  If a
victim's  description  of  the  location  or  the  instruments of the crime
includes  a  pentagram, then the pentagram would be evidence.  But the same
would be true if the description included a crucifix.


        There  is  no  way  any  one  law  enforcement  officer  can become
knowledgeable  about  all the symbols and rituals of every spiritual belief
system  that  might  become  part of a criminal investigation.  The officer
needs   only   to  be  trained  to  recognize  the  possible  investigative
significance  of  such signs, symbols and rituals.  Knowledgeable religious
scholars,  academics,  and  other  true  experts  in  the  community can be
consulted  if  more detailed analysis is necessary.  Any analysis, however,
may have only limited application, especially to cases involving teenagers,
dabblers,  and  other  self-styled  practitioners.   The  fact  is,  signs,
symbols, and rituals can mean anything that practitioners want them to mean
AND/OR  anything  that  observers  interpret  them to mean.  the meaning of
symbols  can also change over time, place, and circumstance.  Is a swastika
spry  painted on a wall an ancient symbol of prosperity and good fortune, a
recent symbol of Naziism and anti-Semitism, or a current symbol of paranoia
and adolescent defiance?  The peace sign, which in the 1960s was a familiar
antiwar symbol, is now supposed to be a satanic symbol.


        In  spite of what is sometimes said or suggested at law enforcement
training  conferences,  police  have  no  authority to seize any satanic or
occult  paraphernalia  they  might  see  during  a search.  A legally valid
reason  must  exist  for doing so.  It is not the job of law enforcement to
prevent  satanists from engaging in noncriminal teaching, rituals, or other
activities.



CONCLUSIONS

        There must be a middle ground in this issue.  Concern about satanic
or  occult activity should not be a big joke limited to religious fanatics.
On  the  other  hand,  law enforcement is not no locked in a life-and-death
struggle  against  supernatural  forces  of  ancient evil.  Law enforcement
officers  need  to know something about satanism and the occult in order to
properly  evaluate  their  possible  connections  to  and  motivations  for
criminal  activity.   They  must  know  when  and how beliefs, symbols, and
paraphernalia  can be used to corroborate criminal activity, they must also
learn  to  respect spiritual beliefs that may be different or unpopular but
that  are not illegal.  The focus must be on the objective investigation of
violations of criminal statutes.


        Until  hard  evidence  is  obtained  and corroborated, the American
people  should  not be frightened into believing that babies are being bred
and  eaten,  that  50,000  missing  children  are  being  murdered in human
sacrifices,  or  that satanists are taking over America's day care centers.
No  one  can  prove  with  absolute  certainty  that  such activity has NOT
occurred.   The  burden  of  proof,  however,  as it would be in a criminal
prosecution,  is  on  those  who  claim  that  it  has  occurred.   As  law
enforcement  agencies  evaluate and decide what they can or should do about
satanic  and  occult activity in their communities, they might want to also
consider how to deal with the hype and hysteria of the "anti-satanist." The
overreaction  to  the  problem  can  clearly be worse than the problem.  An
unjustified  crusade  against  those perceived as satanists could result in
wasted  resources,  unwarranted  damage  to  reputations, and disruption of
civil liberties.


        In  general, the law enforcement perspective can best be maintained
by  investigators  repeatedly  asking  themselves what they would do if the
acts  in question were part of Protestant, Catholic or Jewish activity.  If
a  law  enforcement  agency wants to evaluate the group spiritual framework
within  which  crime  is  committed,  it is more appropriate, accurate, and
objective  to refer to such crimes as cult ritualistic crimes.  The "Sects,
Cults  and  Deviant  Movements"  seminar  put on by The Institute of Police
Technology   and   Management   at  the  University  of  North  Florida  in
Jacksonville,   Florida,   is  a  good  example  of  this  more  objective,
broad-based   approach.    Satanic  cults  have  no  more  law  enforcement
significance  than  many  other potentially destructive cults that exist in
this country.

                                 * - * - *

                    Typed in by Graeme Wilson (O.L.H.P.)

If you want more info on any OLHP productions or want more info on
Satanism, contact me via the following computer networks:

        Fidonet:  3:770/505
                  (Southern Vortex BBS, ph: +64 0-3-454-3900, 14.4k modem)
        Usenet:   fenris@otago.ac.nz

Also I may be contacted on other NZ BBS's:

        Alternative Reality: +64 0-3-471-0414
        Southern Lights:     +64 0-3-455-6016
        The Left Hand Path:  +64 0-3-454-5763 (my own BBS)
        Bad Dreams BBS:      +64 0-9-528-3577 (leave message to 'Lucifer')

If you wish to contact me via mail to swap texts, ideas, etc. then write
to:

                              Graeme Wilson
                              129 Scott Street
                              Waverley
                              Dunedin
                              South Island
                              New Zealand