The Counterterrorism Handbook: Tactics, Procedures, and Techniques, Second Edition
Purchasing Options
Features
Summary
The only way to deal effectively with terrorism is to have a thorough understanding of its present-day characteristics. Who is involved and what weapons and tactics are they likely to use? The players on the counterterrorism team need to take stock of what is in their tool kits; what works and what doesn't work; and what new capabilities need to be developed in order to face not only today's terrorist, but tomorrow's as well.
The Counterterrorism Handbook: Tactics, Procedures, and Techniques lays out a comprehensive strategy of how to deal with an entire range of possible terrorist incidents in a language friendly to first responders, policymakers, and security personnel. It covers everything from bombings and hostage-taking, to nuclear terrorism and what needs to be done before, during, and after an event.
The authors each bring to the table unique insights and real-world experiences based on years in the counterterrorism field. Their hands-on knowledge of the topic infuse the book with a down-to-earth practicality often missing from other counterterrorism studies. The Counterterrorism Handbook: Tactics, Procedures, and Techniques is a must-read for anyone who may have to cope with a serious terrorist attack.
Table of Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
Foreword
SECTION I: PRE-INCIDENT
1. COMMON ELEMENTS OF TERRORISM
The Meaning of Terrorism
Nature of Terrorism
Terrorism by the Numbers
Purpose of Terrorism
Characteristics of Terrorists
Counterterrorist Response
Weapons of Mass Destruction
Role of the Military
Federal Aviation Administration
Financial Terrorism
Counterterrorist Capabilities
Counterterrorist Tactics
Investigative Techniques
Local Law Enforcement Capabilities
Interagency Liaison
Local Significance
Private Sector Cooperation
2. PRE-INCIDENT PLANNING
Introduction to Risk Assessment
Structuring a Defense Plan
Information-Gathering
Target Analysis
Organization
Training
Terrorist Tactics
Risk Analysis
Risk Avoidance
Hostage/Kidnap Defense
3. BOMB DEFENSE PLANNING
Types of Bomb Incidents
The Bomb Threat
Rationale of Bomb Threats
A Note of Warning
Warning or Hoax?
Responding to the Bomb Threat
Evacuation Options
Evacuation Procedures
Putting Out the Message
Planning Issues
The Role of Police in Handling a Bomb Threat
Why Terrorists Bomb
Types of Bombers
Motivation of Bombers
4. HOSTAGE SITUATIONS
A Rare Occurrence
Why Take Hostages?
Panic Reaction
Suicide by Cop
Why Hostages Are Taken
The Magic Triangle
Munich 1972
Deadlines
Killing on Deadline
Evaluation
Responsibilities of the First Responding Officers
The Mobilization Point
Location of the Mobilization Point
Decision-Makers
Evacuation
Keeping Track of People
Start Intelligence-Gathering
Inner Perimeter
Tactical Units
Communications
First-Response Review
Summary
5. DEFINING TERRORISM
What Is Terrorism?
A Brief History of Terrorism
Terrorism as a Political Statement
Modern Terrorist Groups
Terrorist Actions
Other Terrorist Actions
Intimidation and Use of Threats
Disinformation and Propaganda
Assassinations
Success of Terrorists
6. THREAT OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION
Introduction
The Threat Today
Aum Shinrikyo Incident
Chemical and Biological Agents
Bacteria
Rickettsia
Response to a WMD Incident
Section II
Incidents
7. KIDNAPPING
Kidnapping as a Weapon
Risks Involved
Difference Between Hostage-Taking and Kidnapping
Uses of Kidnapping
Types of Kidnappers
Post-Cold War Political Kidnapping
Private Industry's Role
The Police Role
Police Response to Residence or Workplace of Victim
Response to the Kidnap/Extortion Threat
"Do Not Contact the Police"
Hoax
Prevention Tactics
What the Individual Can Do
What the Family Can Do
One Man's Ordeal
What the Corporation Can Do
On Becoming a Victim
8. BOMB INCIDENTS
The Mechanics
Search Overview
Building Searches
Exterior Searches
Interior Searches
Search Teams
Setting Up a Program
Alternative to Search Teams
Mechanics of the Search
Searching a Room
Common Bomb Placement Locations
Precaution
Vehicle Searches
Antipersonnel Car Bombs
Vehicle-Borne Explosive Devices
Aircraft Searches
Pre-Incident VIP Search
Explosive-Detection Canines
Suspicious Packages
Identifying Improvised Explosive Devices
Explosives
Initiation Systems
Summary
9. HOSTAGE INCIDENTS
What Is Involved
Communicating with the Hostage-Taker
The Making of a Hostage Incident
The Announcement
Reaction of the Law Enforcement Professional
Criminal Role
Public Role
Containment
Evacuation and Intelligence
Why Police Do the Negotiating
Post-Incident Crisis Intervention Teams
Controlling the Environment
Dynamics of Hostage Negotiation
A Note on Weapons
Saying "No"
The Art of Negotiation
Courses of Action
The Surrender and Suicide Ritual
Thought Interruption
Never Take a Weapon from the Hand of a Surrendering Perpetrator
Special Qualifications
Section III
Post-Incident
10. POST-BLAST ENVIRONMENT
Getting Back to Normal
The Incident
First Responder
Investigative Phase
Seat of the Explosion
Gathering Physical Evidence
Examining Fragments
Evidence Recovery
Physical Evidence
Container
Firing Systems
Equipment
Post-Blast Investigation Process
Case Studies
11. HOSTAGE/KIDNAPPING AFTERMATH
The Dangers Involved
The Immediate Reaction of Victims
Long-Term Reaction
The Family
Police Handling of the Incident
The Stockholm Syndrome
Transference
When an Incident May End in the Use of Deadly Physical
Force
Ransom: To Par or Not to Pay?
Making the Payoff
The Recovery
Victimology
Post-Incident Effects on Rescue Officers
12. INTERVIEWING VICTIMS
By Dr. Frank Ochberg
Intrusive Recollections
Emotional Anesthesia: Constricting Life Activity
Lowered Threshold for Anxiety and Arousal
PTSD Is Not Always the Same
Who Gets PTSD?
Other Difficulties
A Guide to Interviewing
Timing
Setting the Stage
Eliciting Emotion
Informed Consent
Stages of Response
The Humanitarian Role of the Investigator
Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder
13. ROLE OF THE COMMANDER
Who's In Charge?
Pre-Incident: Developing Guidelines
Make-Up of the Team
Maintenance of Manpower and Equipment
Keeping Up-to-Date on New Techniques and Strategies
Evaluate and Update
Liaisons with Other Agencies
During the Incident: Intelligence Gathering
Evaluate Alternatives
Sharpshooter
Chemical Agents
Food
Alcohol and Drugs
Contain and Negotiate
Impact of the Event on the Public
Post-Incident Debriefing
Formal Debriefing
Evaluate New Developments and Outcomes
14. THE COMMAND POST
The Nerve Center
Forward Command Post
Mobilization Point
Point of Negotiation
Staffing the Command Post
Bomb Incident Command Post
Log and Situation Map
Equipment and Supplies
Communications
Concealment Vs. Cover
Handling the Media
Epilogue
Appendix: Terrorist Organizations and Support Groups
Bibliography
Index
Editorial Reviews
"The Counterterrorism Handbook is a valuable tool in a growing arsenal of tactics, education and defense. . . This book would be a welcome addition to any corporate library. . . The authors are to be commended for taking multiple facets of a highly volatile subject and making them accessible not only to law enforcement personnel but also to the lay reader. I recommend this handbook to anyone with an interest in today's headlines."
-James V. Maguire, Chattanooga Police Department
"The 9-11 attacks may not yet have spawned a surge of corporate security spending, but they have triggered a reexamination of organizations' emergency management plans. The Counterterrorism Handbook is an excellent resource for contributing to this task, not only for corporate security professionals but also for law enforcement personnel and emergency medical technicians. …Photographs, checklists, and diagrams are used in just the right proportion to supplement the text. …Among the standout sections are informative case studies of the Oklahoma City bombing and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. …This is an excellent resource for helping security professionals prepare for uncertain times."
- John A. Cote, CPP
Director of the International Association of Counterterrorism and Security Professionals, Czech Republic and Chairman of the Overseas Security Advisory Council, Czech Republic, Security Management, December 2002
"…a comprehensive tool for dealing with an entire range of possible terrorist incidents. Its clear presentation of material will appeal to first responders, policymakers, and security personnel. …one of its great virtues is the inclusion of numerous tables, charts, diagrams, and photos that illustrate issues covered. …The authors are well-known security professionals and offer unique insights and real-world experience based on their many years in the counterterrorism field."
- Joshua Sinai, Ph.D., ANSER Senior Analyst, Regional Conflict Decision, Journal of Homeland Security
Related Titles
