Forensic Psychology and Terrorism: Analyzing Intervention Opportunities in Terrorist Attacks

To prepare:

  • Review the Learning Resources.
  • Locate a terror incident (i.e., an act of either domestic or international terrorism) or a terror incident offender from the “Counterterrorism Guide: Historic Timeline” of the S. Office of the Director of the National Intelligence in the Learning Resources, and/or from an alternative website.
  • Research that act of terrorism, familiarizing yourself with any details about the offenders, the planning process, and opportunities for intervention.
  • Recommend opportunities where intervention could have prevented the terrorist attack.

Assignment (10- to 15-slide narrated PowerPoint, not including title slide and references slides, etc.)

For your narrated PowerPoint, include the following information on your slides. You should have a citation on each slide using your assigned readings, peer-reviewed journal articles (no older than 5 years), and/or your website source.

  • Title slide
  • A description of the terrorist event, including:
    • An explanation of precipitating events
    • A description of the offenders involved
    • Details or timeline of the attack
    • Victim characteristics
  • An explanation of the terrorists’ characteristics and behavior
  • An analysis of the opportunities for intervention
  • An analysis of the role of the forensic psychology professional in managing the risks of future terrorist attacks
  • References slide – be sure to cite and reference your sources of information in APA 7 format.

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Step 1: Understand the Assignment

You are expected to create a 10–15 slide narrated PowerPoint analyzing one terrorist incident. The goal is to evaluate what happened, identify the offenders’ motivations and psychology, and suggest points where intervention could have stopped the attack.
You must use reliable and academic sources, including your textbook, assigned readings, and recent scholarly research (within 5 years).


Step 2: Select a Terrorist Event

Choose one significant act of terrorism that has verified sources and enough research material available.
You can select from the Counterterrorism Guide: Historic Timeline or from reputable databases such as:

Examples to consider:

  • 1995 Oklahoma City Bombing

  • 2001 September 11 Attacks

  • 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing

  • 2015 San Bernardino Attack

  • 2019 Christchurch Mosque Attacks

Choose an event that allows you to analyze both psychological and intervention-related aspects.


Step 3: Gather and Review Information

As you research, focus on these areas:

  • The timeline and planning process of the attack

  • The offenders’ background, ideology, and motivation

  • Victim characteristics (who was targeted and why)

  • The psychological traits of the offender(s)

  • Opportunities for prevention — missed red flags, communication gaps, or intelligence failures

Use credible, peer-reviewed sources. The APUS Library and Google Scholar are great starting points.


Step 4: Create Your PowerPoint Structure

Here’s how to structure your slides:

Slide 1: Title Slide
Include your name, course, professor, date, and presentation title.

Slides 2–3: Description of the Terrorist Event

  • What happened?

  • When and where did it occur?

  • What were the precipitating events (social, political, or religious tensions)?

Slides 4–5: Offenders and Motivations

  • Who were the offenders?

  • What ideological or psychological factors influenced them?

  • Did they act alone or as part of a group?

Slides 6–7: Timeline and Victim Characteristics

  • Present a clear timeline (planning → execution → aftermath).

  • Who were the victims and why were they targeted?

Slides 8–9: Terrorist Characteristics and Behavior

  • Identify behavioral patterns, warning signs, or psychological traits.

  • Use forensic psychology concepts such as radicalization, group dynamics, or pathway to violence.

Slides 10–11: Opportunities for Intervention

  • Identify critical moments where authorities or communities could have acted.

  • Suggest practical interventions like intelligence sharing, threat assessments, or behavioral monitoring.

Slides 12–13: Role of Forensic Psychology Professionals

  • Discuss how these professionals help assess threats, identify early signs of radicalization, and support rehabilitation efforts.

  • Explain their involvement in profiling, risk assessment, and preventive policymaking.

Slides 14–15: Conclusion and References

  • Summarize key findings and lessons learned.

  • Include full APA 7th edition references for all your sources.


Step 5: Add Narration and Design Tips

  • Keep slides simple and visual (use charts, photos, or bullet points).

  • Record a 1–2 minute narration per slide explaining the content.

  • Use PowerPoint’s built-in “Record” feature or software like Loom.

  • Ensure your tone is professional, calm, and confident.


Step 6: Final Review and Submission

Before submitting:

  • Double-check APA 7 formatting (Purdue OWL APA Guide)

  • Verify each slide has at least one citation

  • Proofread your narration script for clarity and flow

  • Review technical settings so the narration and transitions play correctly


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