Randy Rogan, a Wake Forest University communication professor, is an international expert and leading researcher in both domestic and international terrorism. He is available to talk about how the investigation will likely unfold as authorities cast for additional leads in finding the person or persons responsible for the attack.
Rogan says:
“Early hours and days after the attack are reactionary and focus on dealing with the resulting chaos and confusion in the aftermath of the bombings. Authorities will be responding to possible false reports and leads about potentially other bombs and threats.
Scenes must be carefully analyzed for clues and evidence, while at same time helping residents get ‘back to normal’ and reestablish routines.
Police must sift through all of the evidence and witness reports, some of which is often contradictory as people claim to have seen something that they did not see — for example, a witness who believes ball bearings versus shrapnel came from an exploding bomb. These statements produce false leads and possibly false suspects.
Some evidence will likely have been contaminated by the blasts and bloodshed, as well as by first and emergency responders to scenes.
The attack could be either homegrown or foreign motivated or perpetrated.”
Rogan’s analysis of written documents in 1996 assisted in the investigation that resulted in the arrest of the Unabomber.
Kimberly McGrath[email protected],(336) 758-3209
RSS