Working Paper: Bioterrorism and Biocrimes: The Illicit Use of Biological Agents Since 1900
by: W. Seth Carus, National Defense University, Center for Counterproliferation Research
en | Fredonia Books (NL)
WORKING PAPER: Bioterrorism and Biocrimes: The Illicit Use of Biological Agents Since 1900
By W. Seth Carus, National Defense University, Center for Counterproliferation Research
Working paper is the February 2001 Revision
Contents
Working Paper Bioterrorism And Biocrimes The Illicit Use Of Biological Agents Since 1900
Cover
Title Page
Table Of Contents
Preface
Acknowledgements
Part I: Bioterrorism In Perspective
Chapter 1: Introduction
What is Bioterrorism?
Studying Bioterrorism
Chapter 2: The Practice
Experience of Bioterrorism
Trends in Bioterrorism
Acquiring Biological Agents
Employing Biological Agents
Chapter 3: The Practitioners
Nature of the Perpetrators
Terrorist Group Characteristics
Operational Considerations
Part II: Cases
Chapter 4: Case Definition
Sources of information
Assessing the data
Organization of cases
Chapter 5: Use of Biological Agents
Confirmed Use
Probable or Possible Use
Chapter 6: Threatened Use
Threatened Use (Probable or Known Possession)
Threatened Use (No Known Possession)
Threatened Use (Anthrax Hoaxes)
Chapter 7: Possession
Confirmed Possession
Probable or Possible Possession
Chapter 8: Other
Possible Interest in Acquisition (No Known Possession)
False cases and hoaxes
Appendix A: List Of Cases
Sources
Index
About the Author
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published edition info from Amazon:
Publisher: Fredonia Books (NL)
Number Of Pages: 220
Publication Date: 2002-09
ISBN-10 / ASIN: 1410100235
ISBN-13 / EAN: 9781410100238
Product Description:
The working paper is divided into two main parts. The first part is a descriptive analysis of the illicit use of biological agents by criminals and terrorists. It draws on a series of case studies documented in the second part. The case studies describe every instance identifiable in open source materials in which a perpetrator used, acquired, or threatened to use a biological agent. While the inventory of cases is clearly incomplete, it provides an empirical basis for addressing a number of important questions relating to both biocrimes and bioterrorism. This material should enable policymakers concerned with bioterrorism to make more informed decisions. In the course of this project, the author has researched over 270 alleged cases involving biological agents. This includes all incidents found in open sources that allegedly occurred during the 20th Century. While the list is certainly not complete, it provides the most comprehensive existing unclassified coverage of instances of illicit use of biological agents.
Summary: Fascinating, but not up-to-date
Rating: 4
In this fascinating book, the authors look at the uses that biological agents have been put to, from 1900 to 2000. In a scholarly, no-nonsense manner, the uses of biological agents for terrorism or crime are examined, leaving no stone unturned. The early chapters examine the agents used, how they were acquired, how they are used, and the purposes for their use. Subsequent chapters look at case studies of the actual use of biological agents, their threatened use (often when no actual agents where possessed), cases where groups or individuals were found to possess such agents, and finally groups that are apparently looking to acquire biological agents (including Osama bin Laden's Al-Qaida).
I have read a group of books on bioterrorism lately, and I must say that this one ranks right up there with the best of them. Not a doomsday book, instead, this book treats it as another subject for study, allowing the user to get a realistic feel for how biological agents have been used up to the year 2000.
And, it is in my last point that my real complaint against this book lies. As this book only covers bioterrorism and biocrimes through 2000, it does not cover the 2001 anthrax attack against American governmental officials and media personalities. This attack was definitely the most effective bioterrorist attack yet, and no historic study can be considered complete without it.
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