A retired FBI agent who spent 25 years with the bureau has identified a personality type he believes is more dangerous than a psychopath. Joe Navarro, a former special agent and supervisor in counterintelligence and counterterrorism, stated that while approximately 1% of the population are psychopaths—defined as lacking a conscience and disregard for rules—malignant narcissists inflict the most damage on an interpersonal level.
Malignant narcissism, though not an official diagnosis in the DSM-5, describes individuals with severe narcissistic traits combined with antisocial behavior, paranoia, and a tendency to derive pleasure from the suffering of others. Navarro suggests this personality type overvalues themselves while devaluing others, leading to significant harm.
Navarro, who joined the FBI at 23 and was a founding member of the FBI National Security Division Behavioral Analysis Program, has concluded from years of correspondence that the malignant narcissist is responsible for the most interpersonal damage. He noted that signs of a malignant narcissist include a lack of remorse, disregard for others' feelings, a feeling of being attacked or tricked, and a need to control through deception and manipulation.
In contrast to the overt destructiveness often associated with psychopaths, Navarro explained that many psychopaths are highly functional and not easily identifiable. He cited serial killer Ted Bundy as an example of a psychopath who appeared outwardly charming and intelligent. Navarro recounted his own experience as a rookie officer in 1975, investigating the disappearance of Susan Curtis, an incident that later became linked to Bundy. He expressed lingering regret over not recognizing Bundy as a threat at the time, even recalling a possible encounter with the killer on campus that night. Bundy confessed to the abduction and murder of Curtis before his execution in 1989.
Navarro's observations suggest that while criminals involved in theft or fraud might fall into the psychopathic or sociopathic categories, the pervasive damage caused by malignant narcissists extends to personal relationships and social interactions.