Patterns of Lone Actor Terrorism in the United States

Authors

Brent L. Smith, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow
Paxton Roberts, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Jeff Gruenewald, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Brent R. Klein, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Document Type

Brief

Publication Date

6-1-2015

Abstract

This research explores the differences in geospatial and temporal patterns between lone actor and group-based terrorists in the United States. These include differences in demographics, precursor activities, proximity to the terrorism incidents, and longevity of conducting terrorist activities. Data for this analysis were derived from the American Terrorism Study (ATS). The ATS includes information on federal criminal cases resulting from FBI investigations for “terrorism or terrorism-related activities.” The analysis includes data from 264 prevented or completed terrorism incidents in the United States from 1980-present. These incidents involved 314 indictees charged with over 3,000 federal criminal counts. They were responsible for 1,788 recorded precursor activities that occurred at over 1,100 geocoded addresses.

Citation

Smith, B. L., Roberts, P., Gruenewald, J., & Klein, B. R. (2015). Patterns of Lone Actor Terrorism in the United States. Research Projects. Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/tercpr/12