COURSE: CRIMINOLOGY

COURSE OUTLINE:

INVESTIGATING TERRORISM
1. Introduction to terrorism
2. Contemporary issues in terrorism
3. International terrorism
4. Domestic terrorism
5. Terrorism Threat assessment
6. Investigating Terrorism
7. Terrorist crime scenes
8. Cyber Terrorism
9. Counter-terrorism
10. State and Terror
11. Religion and Terror
12. Terrorism Trends and Prospects
 Terrorism is, in its broadest sense, the unlawful use of intentional violence to achieve
political aims. The term is used in this regard primarily to refer to violence during peacetime or
in the context of war against non-combatants (mostly civilians and neutral military personnel)

 Types Of Terrorism?
By analyzing terrorist groups according to their target population and base of operation,
four basic types of organizations are delineated:
 Domestic-based xenofighters,
 foreign-based xenofighters,
 domestic-based homofighters, and
 foreign-based homofighters

 key elements to terrorism?

 This customary rule requires the following three key elements:

 (i) the perpetration of a criminal act (such as murder, kidnapping, hostage-
taking, arson, and so threatening such an act;
 (ii) the intent to spread fear among the population (which would generally entail
the creation of public danger)

Contemporary issues in terrorism

Contemporary terrorists utilize many forms of violence, and indiscriminately target

civilians, military facilities and State officials among others. The challenges of countering
terrorism are not new, and indeed have a long history.

 Signs Of Terrorism
 Surveillance. Terrorists will likely observe a chosen target during the planning
phase of an operation. ...
 Inquiries. ...
 Tests of Security. ...
 Fundraising. ...
 Acquiring Supplies. ...
 Suspicious/Out-Of-Place Behavior. ...
 Dry Runs. ...
 Deploying Assets/Getting Into Position.
 What Should You Do During A Hostage Rescue Attempt?
In a rescue situation:

 DO NOT RUN. Drop to the floor and remain still. ...

 Wait for instructions and obey all instructions you are given.
 Do not be upset, resist, or argue if a rescuer isn't sure whether you are a terrorist
or a hostage.
 Even if you are handcuffed and searched, DO NOT resist.

the elements of terrorism?

 There are five crucial components of terrorism,
  an involvement of an act of violence,
 an audience, the creation of a mood of fear,
 innocent victims,
 political goals or motives.

The Goal Of Terrorism?

 The purpose of terrorism is to exploit the media in order to achieve maximum
attainable publicity as an amplifying force multiplier in order to influence
the targeted audience(s) in order to reach short- and midterm political goals
and/or desired long-term end states.

Who Responds To Hostage Situation?

If the hostage taker begins to kill or injure people or if the negotiators believe the
hostage taker is about to start killing or injuring people, police will respond as they do to
an active shooter situation. The police will likely respond immediately to stop the
shooter.

Other theories over the causes of terrorism include:

 Perceptions of deprivation and inequality, especially amongst culturally defined

groups. This can lead to civil violence, of which terrorism may be a part.
Terrorism represents social control from below, as attacks are directed upon
targets symbolising central government or a superior community.

 A lack of political legitimacy and continuity, as well as a lack of integration for the
political fringes, encourages ideological terrorism. The potential is exacerbated
by ethnic diversity.
  Terrorism in one country can spillover into neighbouring areas. Mass media can
influence the patterns of terrorism by enhancing agenda setting, increasing
lethality and expanding the transnational character.

 A skewed gender balance and high proportion of unmarried males increases the
association with intra-societal violence and instability. Political and criminally
motivated violence is largely the work of young unmarried men.

 Windows of opportunity when terrorist violence can serve to influence opinion

and resource. In the case of peace agreements, radical members of coalition
groups resume and escalate hostilities to undermine confidence and prevent
compromise, thus regaining the initiative and avoiding marginalisation.

 Hegemony in the international system by one or two actors will cause a high level
of transnational anti-systematic terrorism as a war by proxy develops.
Therefore, terrorism can represent a backlash against globalisation and
modernisation.

Terrorism can occur in a variety of manners and instances. Terrorists may be deprived,
uneducated, affluent and from both sexes. It can occur in developed and undeveloped
countries, in a variety of regimes. It encompasses ideology and religion. Though what
gives rise to terrorism may be different from what perpetuates terrorism over time.
Societies that are more exposed tend to be:

 Poor societies with weak state structures. These are more exposed to civil wars
than wealthier countries, and therefore the risk of terrorism increases.

 States engaged in democratic transition rather than democratic or authoritarian

regimes. Levels of transnational terrorism are highest in semi-authoritarian
states.

 Undergoing societal changes brought through modernisation. Thus creating the

conditions for terrorism through mobility, communication, widespread targets
and audiences.

 Weak and collapsed states that contribute to international terrorism. Ongoing or

past wars can have terrorism motivations rooted within. Armed conflicts also
have facilitating influences on transnational terrorism.