Abstract

If suicide bombing campaigns begin in America, U.S. law enforcement will be faced with a pressing need: development of effective preventive policies to stop suicide attacks before they can occur. Potential components of a policy are developed here by examining the general incidence of suicide bombings, exploring the political economy and sociology of the suicide bombing infrastructure, and recognizing the possible reasons why other than the 9-11 attacks there has been no other sustained campaign of suicide tactics occurring in the U.S. From this, six possible components of effective local policies might include (a) consideration of the basic information needed to prevent suicide bombing attacks; (b) modifications to protocols and procedures used currently in bombing situations; (c) use of deadly force policies; (d) profiling strategies; (e) the use of advanced technologies; and (f) target hardening practices. The alternative is trial by death--on-the-job training in response to future attacks.

Recommended Citation

Nunn, Sam (2004) "Thinking the Inevitable: Suicide Attacks in America and the Design of Effective Public Safety Policies," Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management: Vol. 1 : Iss. 4, Article 401.
Available at: http://www.bepress.com/jhsem/vol1/iss4/401