Keeping suicide bombers at bay
Using a non-lethal response to apprehend a suicide bomber is not always possible given the circumstances and potentially devastating consequences. Collateral damage is also unavoidable in certain attacks. Complicating matters even more are the rights of the suspected bomber that must be protected. With this in mind, the EU-funded SUBCOP (Suicide bomber counteraction and prevention) project aims to deliver new tools and procedures when responding to a suspected bombing. The three foreseen technological tools are softer methods, mitigation and containment, and less-than-lethal methods. They will support non-lethal countermeasures and take into account the ethical, legal and social considerations and implications of an imminent attack. During the first reporting period, the emphasis was on collecting relevant information via interviews with end users responsible for preventing or neutralising suicide bombings. Feedback was received on existing approaches, pressing needs and gaps. Past data on suicide bombers, explosive devices, locations and interventions were also analysed. A web-based response guidance training tool has been defined and development is underway. The tool assesses the key factors and ethical considerations that affect and justify a given response to an event. The ethical and legal aspects of suicide bombing responses have also been examined. In addition, the objectives of the three technological tools have been re-examined based on outcomes to date. SUBCOP intends to introduce tools, technologies and procedures with non-lethal capabilities to keep everyone out of harm's way in the event of a suicide bomb attack. The project outcomes should help to deter suicide bombers, making transportation hubs across Europe safer.
Keywords
Suicide bombers, bomb threat, bombing attacks, non-lethal response, less-than-lethal
