Identification and Recognition of Terrorists

¶ … Target Selection Criminal behavior has been examined closely by criminal investigators in order to combat crime and this is also true in the area of terrorism. Specifically, education on terrorism has been provided in the form of "short briefings" or through publications in magazines or televised broadcasts. However, there is a need for more specialized and focused training in order to prepare law enforcement in countering terrorist acts.

The 'Intelligence-Based' approach to antiterrorism is reported to require knowledge including that which leans towards comprehension of who terrorists are and recognition of incidents that occur prior to the actual terrorist acts committed by these individuals. This includes the competency to "analyze intelligence information." (Nance, nd, p. 4) Secondly, the observation of the behaviors of individuals at the street-level is particularly important in identifying and countering terrorists. Third stated is the ability to closely observe behaviors while analyzing information provided by various sources.

There are reported to be three primary steps and specifically those of: (1) respect; (2) observe; and (3) analyze. (Nance, nd, p. 5) II. Appearances Can Be Deceiving The news media portrays the terrorist as being a type of stereotyped individual however; law enforcement cannot approach investigation of terrorism in this manner because to do so will result in terrorists who do not fit the stereotype falling beneath the radar and ultimately their being able to successfully carry out terrorist attacks.

Terrorists have been portrayed by news media wrongly as they have been portrayed as being non-human in nature however, terrorists are very much human beings and this means that they have their own problems which they attempt to handle wrongly and the failure to view these individuals as human beings results in the failure to give consideration to the intelligence of these individuals.

As well, the failure to view terrorists as human beings results in the failure to consider what motivates and drives them to plan and commit acts of terrorism. It is necessary when analyzing terrorist or terrorist groups to understand their motivation behind acts of terrorism and what they are in opposition to or in support of. Without this very pertinent information it is impossible to attempt to predict when and where the terrorist or terrorist group will strike and how they will strike.

The manner of dress of the individual is also important in knowing what type of weapon that the suspect may be carrying in that someone wearing a long coat has the ability to hide an assault rifle whereas the III. Differentiation of Terrorists and Terrorist Groups Terrorists and terrorist groups can be differentiated by their capabilities and their access to weapons.

For example weapons of mass destruction also known as WMD are of great concern because the release of biological weapons can result in the spread of fatal diseases as well as contamination by such agents as anthrax. The potential for such weapons could be millions of deaths should a terrorist group release such a weapon in a highly populated area. The ideology of the terrorist or terrorist group may be based on religion or political schools of thought or even philosophically-based ideology. IV.

Terrorist Group Organization It is noted that the "type of organization a group uses depends on its level of sophistication and what works best geographically." (Nance, nd, p.71) It is additionally stated that networks "work through key hubs called 'Nodes'. These nodes work to: (1) distribute responsibility; (2) provide redundancy for lost nodes; (3) avoid unnecessary C2 approval process; (4) contact only critical cells; (5) can use computer technology or couriers.

(p.74) Terrorist groups have specific objectives including to intimidate or destroy, and in some cases to make acquisition or to commit extortion or make demands and even to influence. Some terrorist actions are focused on revenge or obtaining some type of satisfaction and in some cases to demonstrate that the terrorist group is still active. (Nance, nd, p.

93) The targets chosen by the terrorist or terrorist group is reported to be dependent on the mission of the terrorist and the opportunity presented by the target as well as the terrorist or terrorist group's means to effectively launch an attack on the target. It is also necessary to identify the places where terrorist groups stay or organize their activities.