The terrorism timeline consists of multiple phases, where all phases possess vulnerabilities that can be used to disrupt an attack. The terrorism timeline that can have a wide span over years or smaller time windows such as weeks and days provides different opportunities for countermeasures. In general, the time available for counteracting an attack might decrease as the respective timeline phases approaches the execution phase. For the planning and financing phases, monitoring activities are for example surveillance of suspicious money transactions, or suspects’ travel patterns. In the earlier phases, detection of explosives at border controls can be one way to hinder their further use for malicious intents elsewhere. An attack with IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) implies that the antagonist’s possession of the explosive is the key element. It is apparent that without the explosive there can be no bomb or IED used as a weapon. In order to obtain the explosive, theft of civilian or military explosives can be the option of choice. The precursors can also be purchased locally with the aim to make HMEs (Home Made Explosives) at a place within a close proximity to the target thus without the need to cross national borders with the chemicals. Consumer grade chemicals are known to be used in producing HMEs for attacks with IEDs. In the case of HMEs, there is a need to have a safe haven to produce the explosive where also the IED need to be assembled. The time needed for the preparation phase will depend on the type and amount of explosive to manufacture. In the case stolen explosives are used, the time needed for the preparation to IED assembly phase might decrease. Once the IED is packaged, there is a need to transport it to the target and the time available to counteract can be smaller. Initiation of the IED can be imminent once on arrival to the target or time delayed with the purpose to achieve another timing with respect to harming the society.
Terrorist attacks within the EU have highlighted the persistent threat posed by HMEs to the society. INHERIT relied on five categories of countermeasures that are linked to the terrorism timeline. Restrictions, dilution and inhibition were addressed in the research. The EU precursor legislation is one example of a step in the disruption of the timeline. This action serves to restrict the availability of a precursor, either by a ban, a concentration limit, or through requested reporting of suspicious transaction to authorities. Mandating dilution of a precursor, or reporting requirements of its purchase, allows for normal use, while disrupting illicit application. Markers and their detection was addressed, where commercial products were assessed in different scenarios in order to develop knowledge on how to ease detection at critical infrastructures. Pre-blast Forensics was addressed since novel forensic methods and tools allow intelligence and law enforcement agencies to prevent attacks with energetic materials before they can be executed. INHERIT also included the relation to different scenarios in which these emerging countermeasures can be used. These were assessed with its own methodology (evaluation framework) and also toxicology assessments of the inhibitors. INHERIT has also tackled legal and ethical considerations and dissemination activities.
