Unit 9: Investigative Techniques Used in Terrorism Investigations

CJ293: Investigating Terrorism

Unit 9 Assignments

Read (eBook): Chapters 25-28 Graded Work:

-- Discussion Board (20 pts)-- Seminar (20 pts)-- Final Paper (200 pts)

240 Points Total

Unit 9 Project—200 points

For your final assignment, write a 2-3 page paper on investigating terrorist groups. Be sure to:Define and describe the four basic approaches to investigating terrorist groupsDescribe how three of these efforts lead to effective prevention and intervention (provide specific examples)

Submit your assignment to the dropbox by the end of Unit 9.

Unit 9 Project: Tips & Clues

For the four basic approaches to investigating terrorist, see Chapter 25, entitled “When a Clandestine Terrorist is Identified.”

Use Chapter 25 as your primary source. Do not consult outside sources in trying to identify the four approaches.

Consult outside sources for specific examples of how three of the four investigative approaches lead to effective prevention and intervention.

 Include specific page references when you cite the course book. For example, (Dyson, 2008) does not refer to any specific page, whereas (Dyson, 2008, p. 377) will direct the reader to a precise page.

Follow APA rules for citations and quotations. Never copy material from a source without enclosing the material inside quotation marks and following the quotation immediately with a citation.

Late Policy/Missing Work

Deadline: November 29th (end of term) Submit any and all work late; subject to a late

penalty Better to get some points than none at all

Thanksgiving Break

Thursday, November 24th through Sunday, November 27th-- Official Kaplan University holiday 

No online activity expected but access to all online resources available, except live Writing Center Services and KU offices will be closed for the holiday (e.g. Academic Advising, Financial Aid, etc.).  

Although there is a holiday, this WILL NOT impact any due dates or deadlines. 

All discussion forum work for Unit 10 is due by the usual Tuesday, November 29th, 2011 deadline.  This means you will want to post your initial response before the weekend.

Seminar Topics: Tonight

The four investigative approaches The ramifications of arresting a suspect too

early or too late Considerations that might influence the

continuation or closing of a case

The Four Investigative Approaches

Identify the four approaches to investigating terrorists

The Four Investigative Approaches

Direct Take no action Give the information to another agency Initiate a full-scale, discreet investigation

Direct Approach

Describe the direct approach

Direct Approach

The direct approach is where law enforcement directly confronts the terror suspect. Confrontation may involve an interview and presenting suspect with specific evidence of his or her activity.

Direct Approach

Is the direct approach effective in terrorist investigations?

Direct Approach

Negative: Unlike the ordinary criminal, a terrorist is unlikely to participate in an interview when directly confronted by law enforcement.

– Terror suspects trained in police interview tactics and less vulnerable to bluffing

– Will likely demand counsel, or demand to be charged or released

– May discontinue activity or affiliation with terrorist group Positive: suspect likely neutralized the confronted suspect

Take No Action

Why would a law enforcement agency elect to take no action against a terrorist suspect?

Take No Action

Agency lacks time and manpower to conduct a meaningful investigation

Does “take no action” mean do nothing at all?

Take No Action

No. Taking no action refers only to the use of labor-intensive investigative activities.– Value of information is recognized and stored for

future use– Agency can still conduct background checks and

procure records (e.g., utility bills, credit cards, bank accounts, home and work telephone). No risk of jeopardizing confidentiality of investigation.

Giving Information to another agency

Why would a law enforcement agency give information to another agency? Identify the agency most likely to receive the information.

Giving Information to another agency

If a local agency believes it cannot conduct an appropriate investigation, it can turn the information over to another agency.

Receiving Agencies– FBI– State agency– County agency

Giving Information to another agency

After turning information over, is the local agency likely to be excluded from the investigation? Why? Why not?

Giving Information to another agency

No. The FBI (or state or county agency) will likely include the local agency– Joint terrorist task forces – Emphasis on cooperation

Full Scale Investigation

Identify the steps that should be taken to begin a full-scale investigation.

Full Scale Investigation

Establish case objectives Procure cooperation from other agencies conducting terrorist investigations in

the area Gather sufficient manpower Bring prosecutor on board Use least intrusive investigative techniques first Record checks (law enforcement and public records) Credit records Financial, utility, telephone and credit card agency checks Internet checks Mail covers Contact informants Use more intrusive investigative techniques

Ending Investigation Too Soon

What are the ramifications of arresting a terror suspect too early?

Ending Investigation Too Soon

Lack of evidence to prosecute Insufficient information developed on the terrorist

group and other group members– Location of safe houses– Location of weapon caches– Funding sources

Other group members will flee or enhance security measures

Ending Investigation Too Late

What are the ramifications of arresting a terror suspect too late?

Ending Investigation Too Late

Attack(s) may be carried out Violent acts committed to raise funds or

acquire weapons and supplies Subject discovers investigation

Deciding when to continue or close case

What considerations might influence the continuation a case?

Deciding when to continue or close case

Factors Supporting Continuation– Additional conspirators can be identified– Further intelligence can be developed– Additional intelligence will likely lead to solution of

possible attacks and criminal violations

Deciding when to continue or close case

What considerations might influence the closing a case?

Deciding when to continue or close case

Factors supporting closing of case– Case too large and complex to securely manage– Loss of maximum investigative efficiency– Number of investigators involved– Number of prosecutors from other jurisdictions

involved– Geographic scope of investigation– Drain on agency manpower and resources

Investigating Terrorism

Thanks for a great class!

Good luck on the final paper!