IACP Quick Take: Commonalities of homeland attackers
FBI research reveals information local law enforcement can use to help detect and disrupt future threats
In late 2018, the FBI completed a review of 18 international terrorism homeland attacks involving some 20 attackers between 2015 and March 2018. The review was based on comprehensive interviews with investigative personnel, as well as research-identified, pre-incident commonalities among attackers. For this review, the FBI defined international terrorism homeland attacks as acts of violence ideologically motivated by Sunni violent extremism.
At the 126th annual International Association of Chiefs of Police conference, an FBI Senior Intelligence Analyst provided an in-depth look at the commonalities identified among the attackers, and suggestions for how local and state law enforcement can use this information to help detect and disrupt future threats.