Tactical Counterterrorism: The Law Enforcement Manual of Terrorism Prevention presents essential and practical information to help law enforcement officers identify terrorist activity and prepare for terrorist attacks. The author explores the concepts of terrorism, homeland security, and the types of terrorist threats posed by various terrorist groups, including right-wing extremists, violent antiabortion individuals and groups, animal rights extremists, and Islamist terrorists.

This manual recognizes that terrorists think globally, but act locally, which means that officers and investigators must learn to be strategic observers, intelligence collectors, and trained responders prepared to recognize particular incidents as possible terrorist activity. Information and case studies on lone-wolf terrorists who act under their own initiative are discussed. Recent cases are used to indicate how to identify and analyze behavioral indicators of radicalization.

To aid in understanding the operations of terrorists in planning and preparing for attacks, this manual profiles the methods and operational principles of terrorists, such as the use of a cell structure, safe houses, the terrorist attack cycle, improvised explosive devices (IED), and the surveillance of potential targets. A review of terrorism research addresses behavioral, geographic, and timing patterns of terrorist groups when preparing for an attack. Attention also is given to terrorism finance and links between past and future terrorist behavior.

For additional information go to the National Criminal Justice Reference Service, http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/publications/abstract.aspx?ID=261094, NCJ 239035.