NCJ Number
189885
Date Published
November 1999
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The document discusses the possibility of biological attack in the United States.
Abstract
In a comprehensive public opinion poll conducted in 1998, respondents cited terrorism as the number one danger the United States faces from abroad, followed closely by the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons. Experts disagree on whether an attack is likely, and there is no evidence that any particular terrorist organization is planning to carry out an attack. The U.S. has millions of potential “first responders” from police and fire personnel to emergency medical technicians. As terrorists continue to experiment with small-scale chemical and biological weapons, police and hazardous materials (HAZMAT) teams will have to recognize an attack in progress and know how to respond. Unlike explosives, germs and poisons do the worst of their damage silently. Particularly in the case of a gas attack, a quick response is critical. A number of terrorists have already used or attempted to use chemical or biological weapons in small quantities. These exotic weapons make even small attacks disproportionately frightening. Terrorists need only to kill a few people to wield the weapon of fear. A new class of terrorist has emerged in the last 10 years, drawing inspiration from religious or extremist subcultures without a political agenda. This type of terrorist is especially dangerous because they have no interest in a sympathetic public. Sound intelligence can do much to prevent these attacks. Technical challenges further limit the pool of potential mass terrorists. The government has invested more money and manpower into counterterrorism and the security of embassies around the world.