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Clinton R. Van Zandt  

Former FBI Profiler & Chief Hostage Negotiator, Crisis Management Expert & True Crime Commentator

Clinton R. Van Zandt was with the FBI for 25 years where he served as a Supervisor with the FBI's internationally respected Behavioral Science or "Silence of the Lambs" Unit. He was also the FBI's Chief Hostage Negotiator and managed the FBI's Major Case/Crisis Management Program. Prior to this, he was an Agent with U.S. Army Intelligence and is a Vietnam War veteran. He served as the primary hostage negotiator for numerous high-profile national and international kidnap and hostage situations and has testified before the U.S. Senate.

He managed both the FBI's Crisis Management and Major Case Management Programs and has assisted companies across the U.S. and around the globe with their Crisis Management and Violence in the Workplace Programs. Additionally, Van Zandt regularly consults on these matters and other subjects such as corporate crises, workplace violence, and business negotiation techniques, sharing his expertise at various corporate and educational events.

As an FBI Profiler and Hostage Negotiator, he personally negotiated with Branch Davidian cult leader David Koresh in Waco, Texas, and conducted negotiations that led to the release of hostages held by prison rioters, and kidnap victims held by both South American guerrillas and terrorists in the Philippines. He correctly profiled Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh on the day of the bombing and led the analytical team that helped identify the "Unabomber." Van Zandt is also known for solving famous unsolved cases and discussing historical mysteries, such as the identity of Jack the Ripper.

A well-known author and television and radio commentator concerning crime and human behavior, Van Zandt has made more television appearances than any other FBI Agent in history, to include over 3,000 national and international TV shows and has appeared on programs such as "The Today Show," "Larry King Live," "Dr. Phil," and "The Oprah Winfrey Show." He is currently NBC/MSNBC TV's Chief On-air Criminal Analyst. His life and career were profiled in "The New Yorker Magazine," and Court TV aired a biography on his life ("The Negotiator").

His book, "Facing down Evil, Life on the Edge as an FBI Hostage Negotiator" (2006), is available nationwide and has been published in multiple languages. His other book, "Dynamic Processes of Crisis Negotiation" (1997), won the 1998 Best Book Award by The International Association for Conflict Management.

Van Zandt's seminars, lectures, and speeches are engaging and informative, offering insights into human behavior, crisis management, and negotiation. He holds a bachelor's, a master's, and two doctorate academic degrees, and continues to lecture widely, including on cruise ships and at major corporate and social events.

Speech Topics


Reading a Crime Scene like a Book: The real "CSI"

Reading a Crime Scene like a Book: The real "CSI." Learn the history of modern day crime scene investigations and how today's criminal investigators "read" a crime scene to develop a profile of the criminal. Real life situations and crime scenes, like the Washington, DC Sniper case, will be used to illustrate the points investigators need to know to solve such cases. It's not TV, it's real life.

What do the clues and other physical evidence left at a crime scene tell you about the crime and the person committing the crime? Former FBI Profiler Clint Van Zandt reviews the history of Crime Scene Investigations (the real CSI) and through case studies you apply these techniques to solve crimes. This lecture is interesting, educational and comes from someone who has seen the application of such techniques bring about solutions to crimes long believed to be unsolvable.

Psychological Profiling: Solving Famous Unsolved Cases

Former FBI Profiler Clint Van Zandt discusses the infamous Zodiac Case, the disappearance of Natalee Holloway, and the murder of JonBenet Ramsey. Consider the evidence as you learn first hand the true facts of such cases and decide for yourself who was really responsible for these crimes, this from someone whose been there first hand.

Similarities between Business Negotiations and Hostage Negotiations

Negotiate as though your Life Depended on it! The FBI's former Chief Hostage Negotiator contrasts business and hostage negotiations in an interesting, exciting and useful way. His lecture leaves his audiences with new business techniques to apply in their negotiation sessions where lives may not be on the line, but the company's bottom line is always there for the business negotiator to consider.

The new Age of Terrorism

What is the current threat posed by terrorists world wide, and might they strike again in America?

Former FBI Agent Clint Van Zandt discusses the history of both international and domestic terrorism from a review of history and recent case studies. He audiences with ways to identify suicide terrorists and how to protect yourself and your family when you travel.

The History and the Secrets of Psychological Profiling

What is the origin of criminal profiling and how is it used to solve crimes by the FBI? Hear the truth from a former top profiler in the FBI and see first hand how these techniques are applied to solve mysteries.

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