Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism: TICs & TIMs

Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism
Training Support Package
Participant Guide
Slide 13
Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism:
TICs & TIMs
Goals of Toxic Terrorism
• Health Effects
– Incapacitating vs killing
• Damage / contamination of infrastructure
• Psychological effects resulting from actual or
threatened use of toxic substances - terrorizing
– Asymmetrical
– Create uncertainty, fear, and panic
– Uncertainties provide tactical and/or psychological
advantages
Module One – Toxic Warfare: Looking Beyond Conventional Chemical Weapons
13
Another difference between the battlefield military chemicals and many of the industrial
chemicals of concern is that the former are meant to kill while the latter may not always
be fatal except at very high doses. At lower doses, they may incapacitate – physically or
emotionally or financially.
As an example, the intended goal of the terrorist use of some chemicals, and certainly
the radiologicals, is to damage or contaminate infrastructure. Such contamination by
itself may create havoc and be extraordinarily disruptive.
Even the intended threat of chemical exposure may prove terrorizing. Potential exposure
may create uncertainty, fear, and panic. Such uncertainties provide the terrorist with an
asymmetrical advantage, and provide tactical and psychological advantages. Tactical in
this context mean short-term and supportive of the ultimate goal.
December 2008 Version 2.0 Page 18