Identification of Terrorist Attacks

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Identification of Terrorist Attacks

IFSTA Essentials 5th ed. Ch. 22 pages 1,184-1,191

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The Threat

SpainOK City

AlgiersIndonesia Birmingham

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Critical Differences

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Different from Hazmat incident: Accidental versus intentional Crime scenes Size and complexity Number of casualties Presence of extremely hazardous

materials

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Dangers: Armed resistance Booby traps Secondary devices Weapons

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More dangers: Contaminated victims Structural collapse hazards Presence of crime scene

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Two factors that complicate terrorist attacks: Crime scene preservation Secondary devices

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Indications of Terrorist Incident

Two or more non-trauma mass casualty incidents in public locations: shopping mall transportation hub mass transit system telecommunications facility office building assembly occupancy other public buildings

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Other possible targets: Controversial business (i.e. abortion

clinic) Government building (federal buildings ) A location with historical or symbolic

significance

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Terrorist motivation is to make a statement: Socially significant structure Large number of victims

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Question 1

What should be done if criminal or terrorist activity is suspected at the scene of an incident?

Report it to the incident commander (IC) as quickly as possible.

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Question 2

Who is primarily, not solely, responsible for the collection of evidence at a terrorist event?

Law enforcement

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Question 3

Which is the lead law enforcement agency at a terrorist event?

FBI

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Types of Terrorist Attacks

CBRNE Each have unique indicators Use monitors and detectors to determine

their presence

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Types of Terrorist Attacks-Chemical

Chemical warfare agents (CBRNE) :• Nerve agents• Blister agents• Blood agents• Choking agents• Riot control agents

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Nerve agents Sarin (GB) Soman (GD) V agent (VX) Tabun (GA)

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Blister agents (Mustard) Blood (AC/CK) Choking agents (Chlorine/Phosgene) Common industrial chemicals

(TIMs/TICs)

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On-scene warning signs: Unusual containers Unexplained sudden onset of similar

non-traumatic illnesses or deaths Unusual odors or tastes that are out of

character Unexplained skin, eye, or airway

irritation Runny nose (rhinorrhea), disorientation,

difficulty breathing, or convulsions

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SLUDGEM (symptoms of exposure to chemical warfare nerve agents ): Salivation (drooling) Lacrimation (tearing) Urination Defecation (loss of bowel control) Gastrointestinal upset/aggravation (cramping) Emesis (vomiting) Miosis (pinpointed pupils) or Muscular

twitching/spasms

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TIM/TIC use may be identified through: Occupancy types and locations Container shapes Hazardous materials placards, labels,

and markings Written resources Sensory indicators Use of monitoring and detection devices

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Types of Terrorist Attacks-Biological

Biological attacks (CBRNE) Ricin Anthrax Bubonic plague

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Toxic substances that are living materials or obtained from living materials

Anthrax Scare of 2001: The famous “white powder” mailings

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Signs and symptoms: May take many days to develop Unusual diseases People or animals get sick or die Multiple casualties with similar signs or

symptoms Dissemination of unscheduled or

unusual spray Casualty distribution aligned with wind

direction

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Emergency medical services (EMS) responders and health-care personnel may be first to realize that there has been a biological attack

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Types of Terrorist Attacks-Radiological

Radiological attacks (CBRNE) Weapons that release radiological

materials:▪ dust or powder▪ radiological dispersal device (RDD)

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Indicators: Warning, threat, or received intelligence Signs and symptoms of radiation

exposure Radiological materials packaging

abandoned Suspicious packages that weigh more

than they should

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Indicators (continued): Activation of radiation detection devices Material that is hot or emits heat Glowing material

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Question

How can it be determined that radiation is involved at an incident?

Monitoring can determine if radiation is involved.

Monitoring must be conducted at all explosive incidents.

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Types of Terrorist Attacks-Nuclear

Nuclear attacks (CBRNE)

The intentional detonation of a nuclear weapon

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Types of Terrorist Attacks-Nuclear

Indicators: Warning, threat, or received intelligence Mushroom cloud Exceptionally large/powerful explosion Electromagnetic pulse (EMP)

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Types of Terrorist Attacks-Explosive

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Explosive/incendiary attacks (CBRNE)

also referred to as Bombings: Majority of terrorist attacks May be classified as weapons of mass

destruction May be used to disseminate chemical,

biological, and radiological materials Be alert for secondary devices

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Indicators: Warning or threat of an attack or

received intelligence Reports of an explosion Explosion Accelerant odors (gasoline smells and

other similar odors)

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Indicators (continued): Multiple fires or explosions Incendiary device or bomb components

(such as broken glass from a Molotov cocktail or wreckage of a car bomb)

Unexpected heavy burning or high temperatures

Unusually fast burning fires

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Indicators (continued): Unusual smoke or flame color Propane or other flammable gas

cylinders in unusual locations Unattended

packages/backpacks/objects left in high traffic/public areas

Fragmentation damage/injury

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Indicators (continued): Damage exceeding gas explosions,

including shattered reinforced concrete or bent structural steel

Crater(s) Small metal objects such as nuts, bolts,

and/or nails used as shrapnel

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Review

Terrorist incident complicated by crime scene preservation and secondary devices.

Terrorist’s motivation is to make a statement: Socially significant structures Large number of victims

Situational awareness: Unusual Unexpected

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Conclusion

We are the first on the scene Be safe!

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Identification of Terrorist Attacks

Documents

terrorist event

terrorist activity

critical differencesdifferent

occupancy types

chemical warfare nerve

hazmat incident

scene warning signs

materials anthrax scare