Investigative Task Force. Include Information

¶ … investigative task force. Include information regarding the structure of a multi-agency investigative task force to include: manpower, information sharing, jurisdiction, participation, vehicle assignments, equipment, training, arrest powers, and classified information.

The role of an investigative task force is: to ensure that all resources involving intelligence gathering and investigations are effectively focused towards the common objective that the task force was created for, such as: counter terrorism. The organization of such entities is a collaboration of local, state and federal officials. Where, the task force has access to a variety of resources available to all levels of government. Information is jointly shared between all of the different agencies on a real time basis. Investigators, have the jurisdiction to track down and arrest perpetrators that cross state lines. This is significant, because offering both state and local investigators federal enforcement powers, allows them to track criminals across a number of different jurisdictions. Those investigators who participate in the task force, gain invaluable insights about how to effectively coordinate the various assets of: equipment and vehicle assignments, to have the most effective response possible. The participation of the various levels of law enforcement is combining the overall investigative knowledge and experience together, which helps improve the overall quality of the investigation. This is useful, because investigators can be able to apply the latest techniques and experience, to investigate major crimes. The various members of the task force receive training through a series of different joint exercises that are conducted with the different agencies. Classified information is shared equally, between all of the task force members. Where, regardless of the level of government that someone is part of, as a member of the task force, they will have access to classified information in real time. This helps to more effectively coordinate local, state and federal assets to respond to the situation that is occurring on the ground. Because of this coordinated effort, the task force is more effective at going after the individuals and enmities, in comparison with each agency trying to peruse them individually. ("Multijurisdictional Drug Law Enforcement Strategies," 1993)

List and define the three types of undercover operations discussed in the text. Provide situational examples of when each would be used in a terrorism investigation.

An undercover operation is when an investigator will assume a hidden identity to be able to obtain the intelligence necessary, on the perpetrator they are investigating. Three different types of undercover operations would include: police undercover operations, federal undercover operations and private security undercover operations. A police undercover operation is when local or state law enforcement is investigating a crime or criminal. An example of this; would be when state investigators are looking at the activities relating to terrorist cell. Where, it is suspected that a particular cell may be in the process of planning an attack. However, there is not enough evidence to establish probable cause. A federal operation is when the federal officials will investigate, crimes that are occurring on a national or international level. For example, a federal investigation would examine the various terrorist activities, where members of an organization could be crossing state lines or international borders. A private operation is when private security will monitor what is occurring at a particular location. An example of this would be when the security detail of a nuclear power plant is monitoring for any kind of suspicious activity. Together, all of these different elements have a particular area of focus in relation to the overall kinds of investigations that are conducted. Where, one is focused on a particular aspect of site security, going all the way up to the international level. (Dempsey, 2009)

List and define the 12 types of electronic coverage discussed in the text. Provide examples of how each can be applied to a terrorism investigation.

The different types of electronic coverage would include: computer surveillance, telephone, mobile, cameras, social network analysis, biometric, aerial, satellite, data mining, surveillance devices and global positioning. Computer surveillance is when law enforcement is monitoring all of the different activities that criminals engage in online. An example as to how this would be used in a terrorism investigation; is when the officials will monitor what web sites and the emails that a suspect is receiving. (Brookes, 2001)

Telephone surveillance is when law enforcement is monitoring the activities of a criminal over the telephone. An example as to when this is used in terrorism is: when law enforcement is monitoring the telephone conversations, between various individuals suspected of being involved in terrorism. (Brookes, 2001)

Mobile surveillance is when officials are monitoring the cell phone communication of a suspect. A good example of this; is when federal agents are listening in on the cell phone conversations of suspected terrorist leaders. (Brookes, 2001)

Camera surveillance is when video cameras are used to monitor what is occurring at a particular location. A good example would be when; surveillance cameras are used to monitor public infrastructure such as: the subway system for suspicious activity. (Brookes, 2001)

Social networking analysis is when you are monitoring the overall activities of someone on the different social networking sites. During the course of a terrorist operation, this would be used to establish the overall personality of the suspect; and determine how they are connecting with the rest of the organization. (Brookes, 2001)

Biometric analysis is when you are using biological features to identify suspects, such as: finger prints or facial recognition technology. An example, as to when this would be used in terrorism; would be when law enforcement is trying to indentify someone as the terrorist that they are looking for. (Brookes, 2001)

Aerial surveillance is when various aerial drones are used to gather information. An example of this; would be when an aerial drone is monitoring the activity of a terrorist operative in Yemen. (Brookes, 2001)

Satellite surveillance is when satellites are used to gather intelligence. In this particular case, officials could use the high resolution cameras to monitor the location of suspected terrorists.

Data mining is when you are looking for abnormalities to determine the activity that someone is up to. An example of this would include: monitoring those IP addresses for unusual activity at web sites that are known for terrorist activity. (Brookes, 2001)

Surveillance devices are when you are using electronic devices such as: bugs to gather intelligence. An example of this; is when; law enforcement is using a bug to listen to what suspected terrorists could be involved in. (Brookes, 2001)

Global position is when the police are planting an electronic tracking device to monitor the movement of an individual. An example of this would be: when law enforcement places a GPS tracking device in a vehicle, to see where suspected terrorists are going. (Brookes, 2001)

Define left-wing extremism, right-wing extremism, and Single-Issue/Special Interest extremism. Give examples of each and explain the difference between extremism and terrorism.

Left wing terrorism is when: individuals that are of particular left wing belief are engaging in terrorism, to have their concerns heard about a particular issue. An example of left wing extremism would be: the Simbonese Liberation Army. Who kidnapped Patty Hearst during the 1970's. Their overall objective; was to hold her for random, so that they can continue with their overthrow of the U.S. government. At which point, they would impose a communist leaning government. In this case, left wing groups want to see the ideals of communism, socialism or anarchy addressed. (Schmid, 2006)