Terrorism, WMDs, and Critical Infrastructures

Definition of Terrorism

• Domestic terrorism involves activities that are dangerous to human life and violate U.S. or state criminal laws.
• These activities appear intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population.
• They also aim to influence government policy through intimidation or coercion.
• Another aim is to affect government conduct through mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping.
• Domestic terrorism occurs primarily within U.S. territorial jurisdiction.

Definition of Weapons of Mass Destruction

• A weapon of mass destruction includes any destructive device.
• It also includes weapons designed to cause death or serious injury through toxic chemicals or their precursors.
• A weapon involving a biological agent, toxin, or vector is included.
• Weapons designed to release dangerous levels of radiation or radioactivity are considered WMDs.
• The term "property" includes all real and personal property.

Critical Infrastructures and Key Resources (CIKR)

• CIKR refers to U.S. assets essential to national security, public health, economic vitality, and way of life.
• This includes power grids, water plants, monuments, government facilities, telecommunications, transportation, and chemical facilities.
• The National Infrastructure Protection Plan guides how government and private sectors manage risks to CIKR.
• There are sixteen critical infrastructure sectors.
• Incapacitation or destruction of these sectors would significantly harm national security, economy, or public health.
• The sectors include chemical, commercial facilities, communications, critical manufacturing, dams, defense industrial base, emergency services, energy, financial services, food and agriculture, government facilities, healthcare and public health, information technology, nuclear reactors, transportation systems, and water/wastewater systems.

Vulnerable Potential Terrorist Targets

• Military bases are vulnerable due to lightly armed guards and simple barriers.
• Terrorists are not likely to follow rules, signs or procedures.
• Rail and metro systems have vulnerabilities, especially outside major city centers.
• Security measures concentrated in city centers may be bypassed by targeting railways outside the city.
• Chemical plants pose a risk because they contain large quantities of dangerous chemicals already in place.
• Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) facilities near populated areas are vulnerable.
• Building LNG facilities in major cities may prioritize profit over security.
• Dams are potential targets, with many classified as "high hazard" due to nearby populations.
• A dam break could be deadly.
• Bio labs, despite increased biodefense spending, may be vulnerable due to the growing number of labs and personnel handling dangerous pathogens.
• Research labs work with pathogens beyond anthrax and including rift valley fever, Japanese encephalitis, and nipah virus.

R.A.I.N. Acronym

• R.A.I.N. stands for Recognize, Avoid, Isolate, Notify.
• It is a process for individuals to quickly gather, process, information and take life-saving actions in a WMD incident.

Recognize

• Rapidly interpret and process an event mentally.

Avoid

• Avoid hazards, contamination, and injury.
• Stay away from liquids, powders, clouds, or vapors.
• Stay out of sight of potential improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
• Get out and stay out until the all-clear signal is given.
• Consider time, distance, and shielding: minimize exposure time, maximize distance, and use protective barriers.

Isolate

• Isolate the hazard area.
• Reduce exposure to contamination or threat.
• Remove oneself and others from the contaminated zone.
• Prevent others from entering the contaminated zone.

Notify

• Notify the command authority, providing as much information as possible about the incident.

Indicators of Possible Chemical Weapons

• Chemical incidents show rapid onset of medical symptoms (minutes to hours).
• They present observable signs such as colored residue, dead foliage, pungent odors, and dead insects/animals.
• Dispersion methods may be simple, like opening a container, or complex, like using an IED.

Indicators of a Possible Chemical Incident

• Numerous dead animals, birds, or fish in the same area, not just occasional roadkill.
• Lack of insect activity.
• Numerous individuals experience unexplained water-like blisters, wheals, pinpointed pupils, choking, respiratory ailments, or rashes.
• Numerous individuals exhibit serious health issues from nausea to disorientation, breathing difficulty, convulsions, or death.
• Casualties distributed related to possible agent dissemination methods.
• Confined geographic area shows illness, with different attack rates indoors versus outdoors.
• Numerous surfaces or water surfaces show oily droplets or film (no recent rain).
• Trees, shrubs, food crops, or lawns are dead, discolored, or withered (no drought).
• Unusual odors, from fruity to flowery to sharp/pungent, out of character for the surroundings.
• Low-lying cloud/fog-like condition that is unexplained.
• Unexplained bomb/munitions-like material, especially if it contains a liquid (no recent rain).

Indicators of Possible Biological Incidents

• Biological incidents have a delayed onset of symptoms (days to weeks).
• There are typically no characteristic signatures.
• The area affected may be larger due to migration of infected individuals.
• Unusual numbers of sick or dying people or animals.
• Various symptoms may occur; consider calling local hospitals to check for similar cases.
• Symptoms may occur hours, days, or weeks after the incident, depending on the agent and dose.
• Additional symptoms include unexplained gastrointestinal and upper respiratory problems.
• Unscheduled and unusual spray being disseminated, especially outdoors during darkness.
• Abandoned spray devices with no distinct odors.

Indicators of Possible Radiological Incidents

• Radiological incidents have a delayed onset of symptoms (days to weeks).
• There are typically no characteristic signatures.
• Radiological materials are colorless and odorless.
• Specialized equipment is needed to measure radioactivity levels.
• The affected area may be large due to migration of contaminated individuals.
• Unusual numbers of sick or dying people or animals.
• Consider calling local hospitals to check for similar cases.
• Symptoms may occur hours, days, or weeks after exposure, depending on the material and dose.
• Additional symptoms include skin reddening and, in severe cases, vomiting.
• Unexplained bomb/munitions-like material may be present.
• Containers display radiation symbols.
• Material emits heat without an external source.
• Strongly radioactive material may emit radioluminescence.

Basic Components of an IED

• An IED ("homemade" device) causes death or injury using explosives alone or with toxic chemicals, biological toxins, or radiological material.
• IEDs vary in size, function, container, and delivery method.
• They can use commercial, homemade, or military explosives.
• IEDs are improvised and designed to defeat a specific target.
• PIES describes the four components of an IED: Power supply, Initiator, Explosive, Switch.

Power Supply

• Most IEDs use an electric initiator and need an electric power source.
• Batteries are common but come in various shapes and sizes to make detection difficult.
• Mechanical action (e.g., a spring under pressure) can power a non-electric initiator.

Initiator

• Blasting caps or flame-producing components.
• Improvised initiators are used for low or high explosives.
• Examples: modified flash bulbs, percussion primers, improvised hobby fuses.

Explosive

• Can be high or low explosive.
• The explosive may not be in contact with other IED components.
• Evidentiary debris remains after detonation.

Switches

• Can be an arming switch or a fuse.
• Can be simple or complex, with multiple switches for redundancy.
• The arming switch is a safety that disables the fusing switch.
• The fusing switch, when activated, connects battery power to the initiator.
• Switches are unlimited in design and appearance, triggered by the target or first responder.

Define “Secondary Explosive Device”

• Secondary explosive devices are bombs placed at an emergency response scene.
• They are intended to harm responders arriving after a primary event.
• Devices are hidden or camouflaged in ordinary objects like vehicles, flashlights, or garbage cans.
• Detonation can be time-delayed, radio-controlled, cell phone activated, or triggered by the primary explosion.

Law Enforcement First Responder Roles/Responsibilities/Priorities

• Basic principles of first responder protection are required, these apply to all hazards through Time, Distance and Shielding.

Time

• Spend the least amount of time in the hazard area as possible

Distance

• Maximize the distance from the hazard area.
• Recommended isolation distances: Explosives: 500 meters, Radiological: 25–50 meters, Weaponized Chemicals: 25-155 meters

Shielding

• Use appropriate shielding, including vehicles, buildings, chemical protective clothing, and PPE.

Life Versus Property

• Police Hierarchy List: Protect life, Obey Orders, Protecting Property, Maintaining Assigned Duties
• An exception to obeying orders is if the order interferes with protecting life.

Crime Scene Protection

• A crime scene is where a crime occurred, but can extend beyond the primary scene.
• It includes the victim's body, the suspect's body, vehicles, and any location the victim/suspect was before/after the crime.
• First responders have the most influence over evidence identification and preservation.
• Mistakes early on can affect criminal prosecution; effective prosecution starts with the first responders.

Crime Scene Equipment

• Carry basic crime scene equipment: yellow tape, evidence markers, and a camera.
• Carry boxes to protect perishable evidence.
• Tape off a larger area than initially thought necessary.
• Weapons, impressions, and blood can be found away from the primary scene.

Crime Scene Observation and Report-Writing

• Key components of patrol crime scene response.
• Document all actions and observations like lighting, temperature, and odors.
• Note specific times: arrival, scene secured, medical personnel entry, victim removal.
• A thorough report helps demonstrate proper scene maintenance and makes it harder for defense to challenge evidence.

Preservation of Evidence

• Generally, the first officer at the scene should not collect evidence.
• Exceptions: officer will need to remove the weapon from the victim’s grip suicide with a firearm.
• Severe thunderstorms cause rain and wash away spent bullets.
• Photograph and document the items' location before collection.
• Fill out chain of custody cards: case number, location, time, item description, officer's information.
• Document all actions in a supplemental report.
• Be conscious of potential contamination.

Contamination Issues

• Contamination issues include: Absence of PPE, shoeprints in crucial areas, handling doors/windows and electronic devices.
• With DNA advances, contamination is a greater concern and officers must wear gloves.
• DNA profiles can be developed from clothing, weapon handles, and shoestrings.
• Avoid handling computers or cellphones, key evidence should be examined by a forensics investigator.
• Advancements in forensic science made every aspect of the crime scene more fragile.
• First officers need to be extremely conscious of their activity and movement knowing that key evidence could be anywhere.