Identifying terrorists through the collection of forensic evidence at bomb scenes
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Authors
Renaud, Michael A.
Issue Date
2000
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Forensic sciences
Alternative Title
Abstract
A thorough, careful examination of bomb scenes by forensic examiners is crucial towards the goal of identifying, arresting and prosecuting terrorists. Terrorism cannot be ignored. Americans were viciously reminded in 1995 in the Oklahoma City bombing, that terrorist attacks on American soil can occur at anytime.
Although the violence may never end, we can certainly learn from these tragedies, possibly identify and arrest the responsible parties, and, if necessary, work on improving security policies and procedures that may one day save lives. For these reasons, the importance of this topic cannot be stressed enough.
This project will briefly overview the following areas: motivations behind terrorism, technology’s influence on terrorism and investigation efforts, and a brief history of terrorism around the world. The bombing cases of Oklahoma City, Pan Am Flight 103, the World Trade Center and the Unabomber will be reviewed in depth. In each of the four cases there will be a analysis of the forensic evidence collected, how it was gathered, and how evidence collection played a major role in identifying the suspects.