The database will be available to the general public. Parts of the database are expected to be online at the MIPT website before the end of the year.

"This will be the first time such a large relational database on terrorism will be available to the general public," said Brian Houghton, Director of Research at MIPT. "While there are a number of excellent chronologies of terrorist events available online, ours will be the only one we know of that will permit the user to manipulate the data, drawing out, for example, only terrorism involving certain kinds of weapons, or certain groups or places or any combination thereof.

"We feel fortunate to be partnering with RAND, with its extensive experience in this area, in order to make this research tool available to academics, policymakers and the general public."

This terrorist incident database, an 18-month, $700,000 project, which will constitute one element of the MIPT National Terrorism Database, will contain only open source information, garnered by RAND from publications and other sources worldwide.

Additionally, the project will publish three quarterly reports and one annual report analyzing trends in terrorism. MIPT and RAND will jointly determine the guidelines for inclusion of an incident in the database.

Michael Wermuth, who is in charge of the database project for RAND, said, "We commend the MIPT leadership for their commitment and for their foresight in undertaking this project. It can be a valuable tool for people around the world who are seeking ways to combat terrorism and its devastating effects.

"Both MIPT and RAND regard their independence and objectivity as invaluable assets. We will seek input from government agencies about terrorist incidents; but we have made a deliberate decision not to have any government agency directly involved in deciding which incidents will be included in the database, to avoid any suggestion of agency bias or influence.

"The definition of what constitutes terrorism for this database has been mutually determined by MIPT and RAND; that definition and a formal, internal process will be used to determine the incidents that will be included in the database."

This project is one of ten counterterrorism projects that MIPT is currently pursuing. Other projects include anti-anthrax medications, better protective clothing for those working in hazardous environments, enhanced detection systems for chemical and biological agents, a study of communications surrounding terrorist episodes, a study of the psychological impact of terrorism, defense of communications systems, and databases on terrorism and counterterrorism equipment.

Assuming successful progress, the total value of this first round of projects is $15.5 million. MIPT has also received over 250 proposals for its next round of research projects. A decision on which of these projects to fund will be made in the course of the next 90 days.

MIPT conducts research into the social and political causes and effects of terrorism. Its mission is to prevent and deter terrorism in the United States or mitigate its effects. MIPT is funded through a cooperative agreement with the research arm of the United States Department of Justice, the National Institute of Justice.

RAND is a nonprofit institution that improves policy and decision-making through research and analysis.

Related website:

Oklahoma City National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism (MIPT)

[Contact: Brian K. Houghton]

06-Nov-2001