Brian A. Jackson

Senior Physical Scientist

Washington Office

Education

Ph.D. in bioinorganic chemistry, California Institute of Technology; M.A. in science, technology, and public policy, The George Washington University; B.S. in chemistry, Haverford College

One Page Bio

Media Resources

This researcher is available for interviews.

To arrange an interview, contact the RAND Office of Media Relations at (310) 451-6913, or email media@rand.org.

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Overview

Brian A. Jackson is a senior physical scientist at the RAND Corporation. His research focuses on homeland security, criminal justice, and emergency preparedness. His areas of research have included the evaluation of technology and policy in criminal justice, measurement of emergency preparedness, and design of policy and preparedness games and table-top exercises. Jackson's terrorism-focused research has examined organizational learning by terrorist groups, terrorist groups' use of technology, combatting violent extremism/terrorism prevention, development of assessment methods for novel terrorist threats, and strategies to respond to terrorist targeting of national economies.

Jackson's recent key publications include articles in American Journal of Criminal Justice, the Journal of Air Transport Management, Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, and Terrorism and Political Violence, as well as many RAND reports.

Jackson received his Ph.D. in bioinorganic chemistry from the California Institute of Technology and his M.A. in science, technology, and public policy from The George Washington University.

Research Focus

Recent Projects

Assessment of criminal justice outcomes of information sharing
Innovation in criminal justice technology, policy and practice
Development methods for risk analysis and security evaluation given uncertainty in future attacker behavior
Evaluating emergency preparedness and the benefits of preparedness programs

Selected Publications

Jackson, Brian A., Michael J. D. Vermeer, Dulani Woods, Duren Banks, Sean E. Goodison, Joe Russo, Jeremy D. Barnum, Camille Gourdet, Lynn Langton, Michael G. Planty, Shoshana R. Shelton, Siara I. Sitar, and Amanda R. Witwer, The U.S. Criminal Justice System in the Pandemic Era and Beyond: Taking Stock of Efforts to Maintain Safety and Justice Through the COVID-19 Pandemic and Prepare for Future Challenges, RAND Corporation (RR-A108-8), 2021

Jackson, Brian A., Ashley L. Rhoades, Jordan R. Reimer, Natasha Lander, Katherine Costello, and Sina Beaghley, Practical Terrorism Prevention: Reexamining U.S. National Approaches to Addressing the Threat of Ideologically Motivated Violence, RAND Corporation (RR-2647), 2019

Jackson, Brian A., Duren Banks, Dulani Woods, and Justin C. Dawson, Future-Proofing Justice: Building a Research Agenda to Address the Effects of Technological Change on the Protection of Constitutional Rights, RAND Corporation (RR-1748), 2017

Brian A Jackson, David R Frelinger, Jennifer Kavanagh, and Brett A Wallace, "Adaptation by intelligent adversaries to defensive measures: Framing adaptation options and demonstrating assessment of attacker preferences using proxy intelligence data," Journal of Defense Modeling and Simulation: Applications, Methodology, Technology, 2018

Jackson, Brian A., Lane F. Burgette, Caroline Stevens, Claude Messan Setodji, Erinn Herberman, Stephanie Ann Kovalchik, Katie Mugg, Meagan Cahill, Jessica Hwang, and Joshua Lawrence Traub, Knowing More, But Accomplishing What? Developing Approaches to Measure the Effects of Information-Sharing on Criminal Justice Outcomes, RAND Corporation (RR-2099), 2017

Jackson, Brian A., Duren Banks, John S. Hollywood, Dulani Woods, Amanda Royal, Patrick W. Woodson, and Nicole J. Johnson, Fostering Innovation in the U.S. Court System: Identifying High-Priority Technology and Other Needs for Improving Court Operations and Outcomes, RAND Corporation (RR-1255), 2016

Jackson, Brian A., Respect and Legitimacy — A Two-Way Street: Strengthening Trust Between Police and the Public in an Era of Increasing Transparency, RAND Corporation (PE-154), 2015

Recent Media Appearances

Interviews: Associated Press; The Atlantic; Marketplace Radio; PBS NewsHour Online; Toronto Star; United Press International; WUSA-DC (CBS)

Commentary: Newsweek; U.S. News & World Report

Commentary

Threat Assessment

Climate, Technology, Trust: Ways to Help Students Report Threats to Their School
When students or others don't know how to report a threat or aren't willing to do so, important opportunities to protect students may be missed. Schools receive little guidance about how to implement an effective reporting program or how to build a robust reporting culture. A recent research effort helps to fill this gap, highlighting seven key implications for school safety planning.
Sep 29, 2022
The 74
Autonomous Vehicles

Developing a Winning Safety Strategy for Automated Vehicles
When policy problems involve many different groups with diverging interests along with significant uncertainty about the future, games can be a valuable way to explore the potential consequences of important policy decisions. What could gaming bring to the area of AV safety?
Feb 18, 2022
The RAND Blog
Using Digital Data in Criminal Investigations: Where and How to Draw the Line?
Personal devices such as smartphones and wearables gather and store personal data. How much of this "digital footprint" should be available for criminal investigations?
May 15, 2017
Forensic Magazine
Criminal Justice

What Data Is the Government Keeping About You?
Governments are amassing a wealth of data on citizens, a trend that will continue as technology advances. But with no reliable way to ensure that the data is accurate, risks abound. In the criminal justice system, for example, poor quality data could affect individual freedoms and employability.
Mar 1, 2017
Inside Sources
Does the Court System Know as Much About Electronically Stored Information as Your Teenager? It Should.
Electronically stored information from smart appliances, fitness trackers, and other devices is making its way into the U.S. court system. Judges and lawyers need to better understand this evidence so they can challenge it or rule on its admissibility in court.
Feb 21, 2017
TechCrunch
Data Analysis

No Company Should Be Able to Keep You from Checking Your Government's Math
Data and computer models are becoming more and more important for making policy decisions on everything from prison sentences to tax bills. But citizens should be able to “check the math” on decisions that affect them.
Jan 18, 2017
Inside Sources
Police-Community Relations

To Serve and Collect? Police Department Funding, Effectiveness, and Legitimacy
Like so many issues in public policy, one of the factors shaping the complex policing challenges facing America—and a potential lever to help address them—is simple and unsurprising. That factor is money.
Mar 16, 2015
Newsweek
Emergency Services and Response

An Enduring Need for Better Measures of Emergency Preparedness
In an era of fiscal austerity, the need for measurement and assessment becomes manifold. Tied to good government goals and responsible stewardship of public funds, measurements are also necessary to educate the public about what it should—and should not—reasonably expect when disaster strikes.
Jun 25, 2014
The RAND Blog
Domestic Intelligence

Needed: Sustainable Spying Oversight
Domestic intelligence in the United States is an activity with a history, and efforts to consider future policy on this issue need to take that history into account, writes Brian Jackson. Public acceptability must be part of the calculus in devising oversight and control of intelligence efforts.
Sep 18, 2013
U.S. News & World Report
Gun Violence

Firearms and Gun Control: Many Questions, Some Answers
President Obama's task force on gun violence has raised the stakes in the policy debate on gun control and policy in the wake of the recent shootings in Colorado and Connecticut. Some of RAND's top researchers share what is, and what isn't, known about firearms and gun control.
Jan 17, 2013
The RAND Blog
Law Enforcement

Short-Term Savings, Long-Term Losses: When Police Departments Respond to Economic Pressure by Cutting Their Forces
Many police departments around the United States have faced budget cuts recently. Ultimately, say Paul Heaton and Brian Jackson, for police services, as with most other things, you get what you pay for.
Nov 12, 2012
The RAND Blog
Terrorism Threat Assessment

The Olympics and Terrorism: Why the Games Remain an Appealing Target
While it is quite clear that attacking an event as internationally iconic as the Olympics would be attractive to modern terrorist groups with global aspirations, their ability to do so successfully and shift focus and attention from the competition and achievements of the Games to the terrorist groups' agendas is far less certain, writes Brian Jackson.
Jul 25, 2012
The RAND Blog
Emergency Responders

Katrina Proved We Must Do Better Job of Protecting Our Protectors
Katrina Proved We Must Do Better Job of Protecting Our Protectors, in the Clarion-Ledger
Aug 13, 2007
Clarion-Ledger
Is America Prepared for Disaster?
Is America Prepared for Disaster?, in Washingtonpost.com.
May 30, 2007
Washingtonpost.com

Publications

Report
Teachers' Views on School Safety: Consensus on Many Security Measures, But Stark Division About Arming Teachers
RAND researchers used survey responses from the American Teacher Panel to learn what teachers think about school safety, including what they think about policies that would allow teachers to carry firearms in schools.
May 31, 2023
Report
Finding a Broadly Practical Approach for Regulating the Use of Facial Recognition by Law Enforcement
This report examines current and near-future uses of facial recognition by law enforcement and identifies the various concerns and related policy domains that could be used to guide public policy.
Feb 15, 2023
Report
Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Needs for Law Enforcement
As cryptocurrency is increasingly used for both legitimate business transactions and illegal activities, law enforcement must adapt. In this report, researchers describe cryptocurrency-related research and development needs for law enforcement.
Jan 12, 2023
Report
Reducing Deaths in Law Enforcement Custody: Identifying High-Priority Needs for the Criminal Justice System
On behalf of the National Institute of Justice, RTI International and the RAND Corporation convened a panel of experts to discuss challenges and potential solutions to developing and using a national data collection of law enforcement–related deaths.
Oct 11, 2022
Report
Amplifying the Speakers: Identifying High-Priority Needs for Law Enforcement Public Information Officers
Law enforcement communications staff are crucial to meeting public expectations for transparency and responsiveness to concerns, but little is known about their needs. Researchers held a workshop to identify priorities for improving the profession.
Sep 8, 2022
Report
Supporting Threat Reporting to Strengthen School Safety: Findings from the Literature and Interviews with Stakeholders Across the K–12 School Community
This report describes threat reporting models available to U.S. kindergarten through 12th-grade schools and how school leaders can support individuals' decisions to report threats effectively.
Aug 25, 2022
Research Brief
A Dangerous Web: Mapping Racially and Ethnically Motivated Violent Extremism
The authors reviewed literature on racially or ethnically motivated violent extremism (REMVE), analyzed social media data from six platforms, and created a global network map to better understand how to inform counter-REMVE strategies online.
Aug 22, 2022
Report
Intimate Partner Abuse Solution Programs: Identifying High-Priority Needs Within the Criminal Justice System for Programs Focused on Intimate Partner Violence Prevention
Despite widespread use of intimate partner abuse solution programs by court systems and communities, there remains limited information on their effectiveness. The authors convened a panel of experts to better understand the needs of these programs.
Jul 27, 2022
Report
Mapping White Identity Terrorism and Racially or Ethnically Motivated Violent Extremism: A Social Network Analysis of Online Activity
The authors reviewed literature on racially or ethnically motivated violent extremism (REMVE), analyzed social media data from six platforms, and created a global network map to better understand how to inform counter-REMVE strategies online.
Jun 7, 2022
Report
Leveraging Technology to Support Prisoner Reentry
The corrections sector increasingly uses technology to provide supervision services and programs for individuals reentering the community after incarceration. Experts identified strategies for employing technology to improve reentry outcomes.
May 3, 2022
Report
Sex Trafficking and Substance Use: Identifying High-Priority Needs Within the Criminal Justice System
In this report, RAND researchers investigate the intersections between substance use disorder and sex trafficking and discuss how these issues complicate victims' identification and screening and their ability to access treatment and legal remedies.
Feb 24, 2022
Report
Community Supervision in a Digital World: Challenges and Opportunities
Increased access to technology and corresponding increases in computer-facilitated crime have resulted in a greater number of tech-savvy individuals under supervision. Experts identified strategies to help officers manage their online activity.
Jul 26, 2021
Research Brief
How the Criminal Justice System's COVID-19 Response Has Provided Valuable Lessons for Broader Reform: Looking to the Future
As the COVID-19 pandemic recedes, stakeholders have an opportunity to reimagine the justice system. This brief presents key lessons learned and recommendations from participants in workshops related to different aspects of the justice system.
Jun 22, 2021
Report
Challenges in Implementing Physical Security Measures in K–12 Schools
Officials face challenges in developing and implementing protection and mitigation measures for school physical security. This report details literature review and small-group discussion findings and their implications for policymakers and planners.
Jun 3, 2021
Report
A Systems Approach to Physical Security in K–12 Schools
Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center researchers present a systems approach to school safety in which physical security elements integrate to provide benefits with minimal negative effects on schools' missions, operations, and climates.
Jun 3, 2021
Report
Analyzing a More Resilient National Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Capability
The authors assess the costs associated with realistic threats to domestic, nonmilitary uses of the Global Positioning System (GPS), and consider possible additions to the positioning, navigation, and timing ecosystem in light of those costs.
May 17, 2021
Report
Online Dispute Resolution: Perspectives to Support Successful Implementation and Outcomes in Court Proceedings
Online dispute resolution provides a forum for the resolution of court matters that was especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic. A panel of experts identified strategies to improve access to justice using these platforms.
May 14, 2021
Research Brief
Promising Practices from Community Corrections Organizations' COVID-19 Response: Ensuring Safety in the Community
This brief highlights the challenges that the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic posed for community supervision organizations, how they adapted to those challenges, and a discussion of which adaptations might hold promise after the pandemic.
Apr 30, 2021
Research Brief
Promising Practices from Law Enforcement's COVID-19 Response: Protecting the Public
This brief highlights the challenges that the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic posed for law enforcement agencies, how they adapted to those challenges, and a discussion of which adaptations might hold promise after the pandemic.
Apr 30, 2021
Research Brief
Promising Practices from the Court System's COVID-19 Response: Ensuring Access to Justice While Protecting Public Health
This brief highlights the challenges that the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic posed for the court system, how courts adapted to those challenges, and a discussion of which adaptations might hold promise after the pandemic.
Apr 30, 2021
Research Brief
Promising Practices from the Institutional Corrections System's COVID-19 Response: Managing Safety and Security on the Inside
This brief highlights the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic created, shows how corrections agencies adapted to the challenges, describes which adaptations may hold promise, and provides evaluations to demonstrate the efficacy of such adaptations.
Apr 30, 2021
Research Brief
Promising Practices from Victim Services Providers' COVID-19 Response: Protecting Victims and Those Who Serve Them
This brief highlights the challenges that the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic posed for victims services providers, describes how they adapted to those challenges, and discusses which adaptations might hold promise after the pandemic.
Apr 30, 2021
Report
The U.S. Criminal Justice System in the Pandemic Era and Beyond: Taking Stock of Efforts to Maintain Safety and Justice Through the COVID-19 Pandemic and Prepare for Future Challenges
The Priority Criminal Justice Needs Initiative convened a set of workshops with justice practitioners to take stock of responses to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. They identified key challenges, system innovations, and lessons for the future.
Apr 8, 2021
Report
Wearable Sensor Technology and Potential Uses Within Law Enforcement: Identifying High-Priority Needs to Improve Officer Safety, Health, and Wellness Using Wearable Sensor Technology
Data from wearable sensor technologies (WSTs) could be used to assess and improve police officer health and well-being. A panel of experts identified ways to implement WSTs in law enforcement settings, evaluate them, and obtain buy-in from officers.
Nov 2, 2020
Report
Risk and Needs Assessments in Prisons: Identifying High-Priority Needs for Using Evidence-Based Practices
Prison systems are underresourced and might lack the capacity to implement risk and needs assessments that reduce recidivism. A panel of experts identified ways to address and improve the use of these tools in prisons.
Sep 9, 2020
Report
The Law Enforcement Response to Homelessness: Identifying High-Priority Needs to Improve Law Enforcement Strategies for Addressing Homelessness
Police often are the first (and sometimes the only) point of government contact for persons experiencing homelessness. A panel of experts identified ways to address and improve their response to homelessness.
Aug 25, 2020
Report
Would Law Enforcement Leaders Support Defunding the Police? Probably — If Communities Ask Police to Solve Fewer Problems
The authors describe police leaders' views on defunding the police -- that is, budgeting less money for police and more for other public safety strategies -- and explain why revisiting law enforcement's role in society could have broad appeal.
Aug 20, 2020
Report
Autonomous Road Vehicles and Law Enforcement: Identifying High-Priority Needs for Law Enforcement Interactions With Autonomous Vehicles Within the Next Five Years
Autonomous vehicles promise many benefits, but questions remain about how law enforcement officers will interact with them. A panel of experts identified ways to address this challenge.
Jul 16, 2020
Report
Countering Technology-Facilitated Abuse: Criminal Justice Strategies for Combating Nonconsensual Pornography, Sextortion, Doxing, and Swatting
Online platforms that enable users to interact virtually have given rise to new methods of perpetrating harassment and other criminal behaviors that compromise victims' privacy and safety. A panel of experts identified ways to address this challenge.
Jun 18, 2020
Report
Countering Drug-Impaired Driving: Addressing the Complexities of Gathering and Presenting Evidence in Drug-Impaired Driving Cases
Driving under the influence of drugs is a serious and growing threat to public safety. Addressing these cases involves identifying impairment and presenting complex evidence in court. A panel of experts identified ways to address this challenge.
May 7, 2020
Report
Data-Informed Jails: Challenges and Opportunities
Jails produce vast amounts of data because of the expanding scope of services they are expected to provide. However, most jails are not using these data to improve operations or outcomes. A panel of experts identified ways to address this challenge.
May 4, 2020
Report
Fostering Innovation Across the U.S. Criminal Justice System: Identifying Opportunities to Improve Effectiveness, Efficiency, and Fairness
In this report, the authors draw on panel discussions from the five-year Priority Criminal Justice Needs Initiative and focus on needs that apply to law enforcement, the courts, and corrections agencies.
Mar 23, 2020
Tool
A Database of Criminal Justice Needs for Innovation: Requirements for Developers and Funders: User Guide
Since 2015, the Priority Criminal Justice Needs Initiative has published more than 20 reports identifying and prioritizing criminal justice needs for innovation. This product provides a database of all of the needs generated during the Initiative.
Mar 5, 2020
Report
Court Appearances in Criminal Proceedings Through Telepresence: Identifying Research and Practice Needs to Preserve Fairness While Leveraging New Technology
In 2018, the Priority Criminal Justice Needs Initiative convened a workshop to explore the use of telepresence technology in the courtroom. Participants expressed the need for research-driven utilization to ensure that its full potential is realized.
Jan 20, 2020
Report
Identifying Law Enforcement Needs for Conducting Criminal Investigations Involving Evidence on the Dark Web
An expert workshop of federal, state, and local law enforcement practitioners and researchers explored how law enforcement agencies should conduct criminal investigations while dealing with evidence on the dark web.
Oct 29, 2019
Report
Leveraging Technology to Enhance Community Supervision: Identifying Needs to Address Current and Emerging Concerns
An expert workshop of correctional administrators and researchers explored how technology can be used to address key challenges faced by community corrections agencies.
Oct 28, 2019
Report
Law Enforcement Efforts to Fight the Opioid Crisis: Convening Police Leaders, Multidisciplinary Partners, and Researchers to Identify Promising Practices and to Inform a Research Agenda
An expert panel of law enforcement leaders identified promising efforts to combat the opioid crisis, including connecting people to needed medications, effectively collaborating to achieve community buy-in, and protecting officers on the front lines.
Sep 6, 2019
Report
Countering Threats to Correctional Institution Security: Identifying Innovation Needs to Address Current and Emerging Concerns
This report presents challenges and needs associated with threats to correctional institution safety and security. The authors sought to identify the key needs associated with mitigating the risks of these threats.
Jul 31, 2019
Report
Fostering Innovation to Respond to Top Challenges in Law Enforcement: Proceedings of the National Institute of Justice's 2018 Chiefs' Panel on Priority Law Enforcement Issues and Needs
An expert panel of law enforcement leaders identified challenges facing law enforcement today, and their priorities are presented in this report. Panel members discussed needs for innovation that, if pursued, might help resolve those challenges.
Jul 22, 2019
Report
Prosecutor Priorities, Challenges, and Solutions
In March 2018, the Priority Criminal Justice Needs Initiative convened an expert panel to identify priority needs and solutions for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the prosecutorial component of the criminal justice system.
Apr 18, 2019
Report
Managing the Seriously Mentally Ill in Corrections
This report presents the challenges and needs associated with how individuals with serious mental illness become justice-involved and how to achieve better outcomes before and after these individuals come under correctional control.
Apr 2, 2019
Research Brief
Building an Effective and Practical National Approach to Terrorism Prevention
RAND researchers examined past U.S. countering violent extremism and terrorism prevention efforts and explored options to strengthen them. They found that current capabilities are relatively limited and future efforts must build trust to succeed.
Feb 14, 2019
Report
Practical Terrorism Prevention: Executive Summary
Researchers examined past U.S. countering violent extremism and terrorism prevention efforts and explored options to strengthen them. This document summarizes findings from the main report.
Feb 14, 2019
Report
Practical Terrorism Prevention: Reexamining U.S. National Approaches to Addressing the Threat of Ideologically Motivated Violence
Researchers examined past U.S. countering violent extremism and terrorism prevention efforts and explored options to strengthen them. They found that current capabilities are relatively limited and that future efforts must build trust to succeed.
Feb 14, 2019
Report
Using Video Analytics and Sensor Fusion in Law Enforcement: Building a Research Agenda That Includes Business Cases, Privacy and Civil Rights Protections, and Needs for Innovation
Video technology is changing the ways that law enforcement works and interacts with the public. In this report, the authors explore some of the challenges posed and innovation needs in this emerging area.
Dec 28, 2018
Journal Article
Adaptation by Intelligent Adversaries to Defensive Measures: Framing Adaptation Options and Demonstrating Assessment of Attacker Preferences Using Proxy Intelligence Data
Addressing adaptation by adversaries and its implications for security planning requires understanding the ways attackers can respond to new defensive measures. This paper demonstrates an analysis of such preferences using open source data.
Oct 2, 2018
Report
Building a High-Quality Correctional Workforce: Identifying Challenges and Needs
This report, informed by a panel of experts, focuses on the challenges and opportunities related to building and maintaining a high-quality correctional workforce and provides a list of needs to inform concerned communities and stakeholders.
Aug 7, 2018
Report
Using Social Media and Social Network Analysis in Law Enforcement: Creating a Research Agenda, Including Business Cases, Protections, and Technology Needs
This report describes the proceedings of an April 2017 expert workshop on the use of social media and social network analysis in law enforcement.
Jul 18, 2018
Report
Identifying Law Enforcement Needs for Access to Digital Evidence in Remote Data Centers
Researchers discuss the challenge of accessing data in remote data centers, summarize the discussion of an expert panel, and provide a list of needs identified and prioritized by the panel to inform concerned communities and stakeholders.
Apr 23, 2018
Research Brief
Emerging Technology Trends and Their Impact on Criminal Justice
The Criminal Justice Technology Forecasting Group discussed near-term effects that major societal trends could have on criminal justice and identified potential responses. This brief summarizes a report of the results of the group's meetings.
Mar 26, 2018
Report
Addressing Emerging Trends to Support the Future of Criminal Justice: Findings of the Criminal Justice Technology Forecasting Group
The Criminal Justice Technology Forecasting Group deliberated on the effects that major societal trends could have on criminal justice in the near future and identified potential responses. This report captures the results of the group's meetings.
Mar 19, 2018
Report
Caring for Those in Custody: Identifying High-Priority Needs to Reduce Mortality in Correctional Facilities
Presents the results of an expert panel focused on identifying and prioritizing ways to reduce mortality occurring in correctional facilities.
Nov 27, 2017
Journal Article
Managing Officer Behavioural Risk Using Early Intervention Systems: Addressing System Design Challenges for Law Enforcement and Corrections Environments
The goal of EIS is to provide the opportunity to identify and intervene for officers that are showing signs of problematic behaviour or performance. In the project described here, we demonstrated expansion of the EIS concept to a corrections context.
Nov 7, 2017
Report
Envisioning an Alternative Future for the Corrections Sector Within the U.S. Criminal Justice System
To contribute to the policy debate on corrections, RAND interviewed a group of prominent correctional practitioners, consultants, and academics. This report outlines their perspectives on the state of corrections and their vision for the future.
Oct 26, 2017
Report
Knowing More, But Accomplishing What? Developing Approaches to Measure the Effects of Information-Sharing on Criminal Justice Outcomes
In this report, researchers explore measurement methods to assess how information-sharing affects criminal justice outcomes and offer lessons for future policy evaluation and information system design.
Sep 15, 2017
Report
Fostering Innovation in U.S. Law Enforcement: Identifying High-Priority Technology and Other Needs for Improving Law Enforcement Operations and Outcomes
Presents the results a 2016 workshop in which a panel of law enforcement experts identifies high-priority needs for innovation in law enforcement, covering advances in technology, policy, and practice.
Aug 31, 2017
Report
Future-Proofing Justice: Building a Research Agenda to Address the Effects of Technological Change on the Protection of Constitutional Rights
In this report, RAND researchers, with the help of an advisory panel, craft a research agenda to prepare the U.S. legal system to address the effects of emerging technologies on individuals' constitutional rights, especially to due process.
Jan 10, 2017
Report
Using Future Broadband Communications Technologies to Strengthen Law Enforcement
This report describes the finding of an expert panel convened in September 2015 to discuss how law enforcement can best leverage future communications capabilities anticipated to be fielded over the next 10 to 15 years.
Sep 26, 2016
Research Brief
Can Technology Make Schools Safer?
Key technology needs to improve safety in U.S. schools include two-way communication between teachers and emergency responders and "all-in-one" applications to integrate school safety policies, procedures, training, and alerts for staff and parents.
Aug 22, 2016
Tool
Courts Innovation Needs Tool
Using information drawn from the report findings, this interactive tool for ranking court innovation needs allows users to re-prioritize the needs, based on their own views of the importance of different court system policy goals.
Jul 22, 2016
Report
Fostering Innovation in the U.S. Court System: Identifying High-Priority Technology and Other Needs for Improving Court Operations and Outcomes
The U.S. courts sector is challenged by high caseloads, resource constraints, and other trends, and this report seeks to frame an innovation agenda by identifying and prioritizing potential improvements in technology, policy, and practice.
May 10, 2016
Report
The Role of Technology in Improving K–12 School Safety
The report categorizes school safety technologies, summarizes research on school violence, presents six case studies of innovative technologies, and summarizes experts' views of technologies and safety problems and their rankings of technology needs.
Apr 14, 2016
Journal Article
Assessing the Effectiveness of Layered Security for Protecting the Aviation System Against Adaptive Adversaries
This study examines the effectiveness of layered security for protecting the aviation system against adaptive adversaries.
Nov 24, 2015
Journal Article
Exploring the Effect of the Diffusion of Geo-Targeted Emergency Alerts: The Application of Agent-Based Modeling to Understanding the Spread of Messages from the Wireless Emergency Alerts System
This report examines the effect of the diffusion of geo-targeted emergency alerts.
Nov 23, 2015
Testimony
Strengthening Trust Between Police and the Public in an Era of Increasing Transparency
Testimony presented before the House Republican Policy Committee Law Enforcement Task Force on October 6, 2015.
Oct 6, 2015
Report
Using Future Internet Technologies to Strengthen Criminal Justice
This report discusses the technologies, needs, and overarching themes that were discussed during a RAND-conducted expert panel on the criminal justice community's need to take advantage of (and mitigate threats from) emerging web technologies.
Aug 17, 2015
Report
Respect and Legitimacy — A Two-Way Street: Strengthening Trust Between Police and the Public in an Era of Increasing Transparency
Amid recent tensions between law enforcement and the public, the author addresses key questions that must be answered to build the foundation for long-lasting mutual trust, especially given technological changes that are increasing transparency.
May 1, 2015
Report
Digital Evidence and the U.S. Criminal Justice System: Identifying Technology and Other Needs to More Effectively Acquire and Utilize Digital Evidence
This report describes results of a research effort to identify and prioritize criminal justice needs related to digital evidence collection, management, analysis, and use.
Apr 20, 2015
Tool
Interactive Tool for Ranking Digital Evidence Needs
This tool presents the prioritized needs related to digital evidence collection, management, analysis, and use and allows the user to see how their priorities would change when the importance of different digital evidence objectives are changed.
Apr 20, 2015
Report
Visions of Law Enforcement Technology in the Period 2024-2034: Report of the Law Enforcement Futuring Workshop
Describes the results of a July 2014 workshop in which a diverse group of law enforcement practitioners explored future visions of law enforcement and identified and prioritized needs in technology, policy, and practice based on those visions.
Mar 16, 2015
Tool
Criminal Justice Technology Taxonomy Web Tool
This tool presents a dynamic map populated by information on tools and practices that allow the user to explore the different areas of corrections technology and practice and to make comparisons between community and institutional corrections.
Feb 2, 2015
Report
High-Priority Information Technology Needs for Law Enforcement
This study reports on strategic planning activities undertaken to support the National Institute of Justice in the area of information technology, collecting and analyzing data on law enforcement needs, and identifying potential solutions.
Jan 19, 2015
Report
Fostering Innovation in Community and Institutional Corrections: Identifying High-Priority Technology and Other Needs for the U.S. Corrections Sector
The U.S. corrections enterprise is challenged by a variety of demographic, societal, and fiscal trends, and this report seeks to frame an innovation agenda by identifying and prioritizing potential improvements in technology, policy, and practice.
Jan 6, 2015
Tool
Interactive Tool for Ranking Corrections Innovation Needs
Interactive tool that allows users to leverage the research in Fostering Innovation in Community and Institutional Corrections.
Jan 6, 2015
Report
Police Department Investments in Information Technology Systems: Challenges Assessing Their Payoff
As police departments and other public service providers manage reduced budgets, RAND researchers explored the rationale and evidence supporting the idea that IT investments can increase efficiency in policing, and do so cost-effectively.
Sep 25, 2014
Testimony
Applying Lessons Learned from Past Response Operations to Strengthening National Preparedness: Addendum
Document submitted on July 11, 2014 as an addendum to testimony presented before the House Homeland Security Committee on June 18, 2014.
Jul 11, 2014
Report
How Do We Know What Information Sharing Is Really Worth? Exploring Methodologies to Measure the Value of Information Sharing and Fusion Efforts
This report discusses the challenges of evaluating information-sharing efforts that seek to achieve multiple goals simultaneously; reviews past evaluations of information-sharing programs; and lays out a path to improving the evaluation of such efforts.
Jun 18, 2014
Testimony
Applying Lessons Learned from Past Response Operations to Strengthening National Preparedness
Testimony presented before the House Homeland Security Committee on June 18, 2014.
Jun 18, 2014
Report
Wireless Emergency Alerts: Mobile Penetration Strategy
This report characterizes the factors that affect wireless emergency alert (WEA) coverage, identifies barriers to public access to WEA alerts, and suggests options for increasing mobile penetration (adoption) of WEA nationwide.
Feb 12, 2014
Journal Article
Human Subjects Protection and Research on Terrorism and Conflict
The authors discuss how current legal developments raise complications and may limit the ability of researchers to work on terrorism and conflict topics.
Apr 1, 2013
Journal Article
Considering Al-Qa'ida's Innovation Doctrine: From Strategic Texts to "Innovation in Practice"
Understanding how terrorist groups innovate and adapt is key for anticipating future shifts in terrorist threats.
2013
Journal Article
Wireless Emergency Alerts: Mobile Penetration Strategy
The objective of this analysis was to independently assess the coverage and penetration of the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system.
2013
Report
Efficient Aviation Security: Strengthening the Analytic Foundation for Making Air Transportation Security Decisions
Presents a set of analyses intended to help fill some of the current gaps in analysis of the costs, benefits, and efficiency of aviation security measures and strategies in the face of uncertainty.
Aug 21, 2012
Journal Article
Assessing the Security Benefits of a Trusted Traveler Program in the Presence of Attempted Attacker Exploitation and Compromise
Examines the security costs and benefits of a trusted traveler program, in which individuals who have been identified as posing less risk than others are allowed to pass through security checkpoints with reduced security screening.
Mar 1, 2012
Brochure
Proposed Directions of Change to the Common Rule for Protecting Human Research Participants: RAND Responses
Documents RAND's responses to proposed changes in the Common Rule, which regulates Institutional Review Board protection of human research participants.
Dec 2, 2011
Report
The Long Shadow of 9/11: America's Response to Terrorism
In a series of essays, this book addresses the question of how America has responded in the ten years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks and suggests options for more effectively dealing with the terrorist threat in the future.
Jul 26, 2011
Draft
Assessing the Security Benefits of a Trusted Traveler Program in the Presence of Attempted Attacker Exploitation and Compromise
Examines the security costs and benefits of a trusted traveler program, in which individuals who have been identified as posting less risk than others are allowed to pass through security with reduced security screening.
May 25, 2011
Report
Influences on the Adoption of Multifactor Authentication
Explores the adoption of multifactor authentication (MFA) -- which combines something you know (e.g., a PIN), something you have (e.g., a token), and/or something you are (e.g., a fingerprint) -- to identify users to a computer system.
Apr 15, 2011
Journal Article
Preparedness Exercises 2.0: Alternative Approaches to Exercise Design That Could Make Them More Useful for Evaluating — and Strengthening — Preparedness
This methodology, which has been applied previously to preparedness measurement, is explored as a tool for exercise design to focus it more tightly on key potential problem areas and to make it easier to use exercise data to explore preparedness for incidents that could differ considerably from the specific exercised scenario.
Apr 1, 2011
Research Brief
Should Global Force Management Information Be Classified?
This research brief describes a method for determining whether information should be classified and applies the method to the Global Force Management Data Initiative.
Jan 31, 2011
Report
What Should Be Classified? A Framework with Application to the Global Force Management Data Initiative
Develops a framework for assessing classification decisions and uses it to conclude that classifying the Global Force Management Data Initiative provides little value (but still advises monitoring file contents).
Jan 31, 2011
Journal Article
Text Analysis of After Action Reports to Support Improved Emergency Response Planning
This study combines a text analysis of 70 after action reports (AARs) with a failure mode effects and consequences analysis (FMECA). This approach provides a mechanism to connect the AAR process with efforts to improve emergency response planning.
2011
Journal Article
Are We Prepared? Using Reliability Analysis to Evaluate Emergency Response Systems
The capabilities and capacities for response are the product of a system of plans, authorities, policies,procedures, personnel, training, materials, equipment and facilities to address post-incident needs.
2011
Journal Article
A Table-Top Game to Teach Technological and Tactical Planning in a Graduate Terrorism and Counterterrorism Course
A table-top game is described where students play the role of a terrorist group seeking to attack an urban subway and then act as security planners charged with protecting it.
2011
Report
Evaluating the Reliability of Emergency Response Systems for Large-Scale Incident Operations
Describes a method, based on the concept of system reliability, for evaluating the preparedness of emergency response systems, particularly for large-scale incidents.
Jun 22, 2010
Report
Understanding the Role of Deterrence in Counterterrorism Security
Deterrence -- a central feature of counterterrorism security systems -- is not well understood or measured. This paper offers a framework for understanding how security affects terrorist planning and for measuring these systems' deterrent value.
Nov 30, 2009
Report
Understanding Why Terrorist Operations Succeed or Fail
This paper argues that the success or failure of terrorist operations can be best understood by thinking about the match or mismatch between key sets of characteristics of the group, its plans, and the security measures facing them.
Jul 28, 2009
Report
Social Science for Counterterrorism: Putting the Pieces Together
Why does terrorism arise and decline? Why do people become terrorists or disengage? How do terrorists generate, maintain, or lose public support? How do terrorists make decisions? These are the questions that the authors address.
May 13, 2009
Report
Emerging Threats and Security Planning: How Should We Decide What Hypothetical Threats to Worry About?
An approach for assessing novel or emerging threats and prioritizing which merit specific security attention and which can be addressed as part of existing security efforts.
May 7, 2009
Research Brief
Are Communities Ready to Conduct Rapid and Large-Scale Dispensing of Medications During a Public Health Emergency?
This research highlight summarizes the findings of RAND's initial evaluation of the Cities Readiness Initiative and the program's impact on communities' readiness to conduct mass dispensing of medications and other medical supplies.
Apr 1, 2009
Report
Considering the Creation of a Domestic Intelligence Agency in the United States: Lessons from the Experiences of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom
With terrorism still prominent on the U.S. agenda, does the country need a dedicated domestic intelligence agency? Case studies of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and the UK provide lessons that may help policymakers decide.
Feb 5, 2009
Report
Initial Evaluation of the Cities Readiness Initiative
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention asked RAND to provide an initial evaluation of the impact of the Cities Readiness Initiative on awardees' readiness and capability to conduct mass countermeasure dispensing.
Jan 30, 2009
Report
The Challenge of Domestic Intelligence in a Free Society: A Multidisciplinary Look at the Creation of a U.S. Domestic Counterterrorism Intelligence Agency
Does the United States need a dedicated domestic counterterrorism intelligence agency? This book examines such an agency's creation, possible capability, and approaches for assessing its effectiveness and acceptability to the public.
Jan 19, 2009
Report
The Lessons of Mumbai
Analyzes the November 2008 terrorist attack in Mumbai, India, and derives lessons learned from the attack and from the Indian response.
Jan 15, 2009
Journal Article
Technology Strategies for Homeland Security: Adaptation and Coevolution of Offense and Defense
Terrorists' strategies are driven by the types and range of weapons and other technologies they acquire.
2009
Research Brief
Consequence Prevention: A New Model for Addressing Uncertainty About Terrorist Threats
To help policymakers deal with the uncertainty surrounding the nature of future terrorist threats, traditional terrorism prevention measures should be integrated into a portfolio that also includes measures that mitigate an attack's consequences.
Dec 7, 2008
Research Brief
A New Approach for Assessing Emergency Preparedness
Framing of a broad set of questions about how national preparedness can be meaningfully evaluated, this policy brief introduces an alternative way of thinking about measuring emergency preparedness.
Dec 7, 2008
Report
Marrying Prevention and Resiliency: Balancing Approaches to an Uncertain Terrorist Threat
The author recommends a capabilities-based, portfolio approach to terrorism prevention planning. Protective portfolios would combine preventative measures and mitigation and resiliency measures to deal with uncertainty in the terrorist threat.
Nov 30, 2008
Report
The Problem of Measuring Emergency Preparedness: The Need for Assessing ''Response Reliability'' as Part of Homeland Security Planning
Framing of a broad set of questions about how preparedness can be meaningfully measured, this paper provides some background on the national preparedness system before introducing an alternative way of thinking about measuring preparedness.
Nov 14, 2008
Report
Evaluating Novel Threats to the Homeland: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Cruise Missiles
For several types of attacks, examines cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles from an adversary's perspective and assesses defensive options to address this and other asymmetric threats.
Mar 2, 2008
Testimony
Developing Robust Border Security Technologies to Protect Against Diverse and Adaptive Threats: Addendum
Document submitted on December 17, 2007 as an addendum to testimony before the House Science and Technology Committee, Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation on November 15, 2007.
Dec 17, 2007
Research Brief
A Framework for Planning Cost-Effective Rail Security Against a Terrorist Attack
This research brief explains a framework to guide cost-effective passenger-rail security planning and applies it to a notional rail system that characterizes rail systems typically found in the United States.
Dec 3, 2007
Report
Securing America's Passenger-Rail Systems
This book explains a framework that security planners and policymakers can use for cost-effective rail-security planning. It focuses specifically on terrorism risk, which is a function of threat, vulnerability, and consequences.
Dec 2, 2007
Draft
Rifling Through the Terrorists' Arsenal: Exploring Groups' Weapon Choices and Technology Strategies
Using a random sample of terrorist incidents from the RAND-MIPT Terrorism Incident Database, this paper explores how terrorists choose their weapons and strategies.
Nov 20, 2007
Testimony
Developing Robust Border Security Technologies to Protect Against Diverse and Adaptive Threats
Testimony presented before the House Science and Technology Committee, Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation on November 15, 2007.
Nov 15, 2007
Report
Network Technologies for Networked Terrorists: Assessing the Value of Information and Communication Technologies to Modern Terrorist Organizations
Terrorists use network technologies as they plan and stage attacks. This book explores the purpose and manner of the use of these technologies, their net effect, and security forces' possible responses.
Sep 16, 2007
Testimony
Protecting Emergency Responders at Large-Scale Incidents: Lessons Learned from the Response to the Attacks on the World Trade Center
Testimony presented before the House Education and Labor Committee on September 12, 2007.
Sep 12, 2007
Report
Stealing the Sword: Limiting Terrorist Use of Advanced Conventional Weapons
Examines how terrorists make technology choices and how the United States can use that knowledge to discourage terrorists' use of advanced conventional weapons.
Aug 27, 2007
Research Brief
Bioterrorism with Zoonotic Disease: Public Health Preparedness Lessons from a Multiagency Exercise
This fact sheet describes tabletop exercises in six Georgia health districts and at the state level to understand what coordination and public health response are required among groups with diverse responsibilities and at different government levels.
Aug 5, 2007
Report
Counterinsurgency Intelligence in a ''Long War'': The British Experience in Northern Ireland
Shows how counterintelligence collection efforts must diverge significantly from ''classical'' collection methods when fighting an insurgency.
May 21, 2007
Research Brief
Getting Inside the Terrorist Mind
This research brief summarizes three new RAND monographs: one focuses on terrorists' defenses against counterterrorist technologies; another details terrorist technology- and knowledge-sharing; a third explores terrorist targeting preferences.
May 2, 2007
Report
Economically Targeted Terrorism: A Review of the Literature and a Framework for Considering Defensive Approaches
This report describes the range of economic effects of terrorist activities. The framework developed here captures costs of economic targeting, whether through episodic or campaign terrorism, and explores defensive measures against this threat.
Apr 25, 2007
Report
Sharing the Dragon's Teeth: Terrorist Groups and the Exchange of New Technologies
This work details efforts of 11 terrorist groups to improve their operational capabilities through the exchange of technologies and knowledge and suggests ways that government policies can create barriers to terrorists' adoption of new technologies.
Mar 15, 2007
Draft
Assessing the Benefits of Homeland Security Efforts Deployed Against a Dynamic Terrorist Threat
Focuses on measuring the costs to terrorists of protective and security measures that either deter them from staging attacks or significantly degrade their ability to cause harm when they choose to do so.
Feb 19, 2007
Report
Breaching the Fortress Wall: Understanding Terrorist Efforts to Overcome Defensive Technologies
Examines the history of terrorist conflicts to understand terrorists' counter-technology efforts and to help the nation make the best choices to protect it from the threat of terrorism.
Jan 29, 2007
Report
The Global Technology Revolution 2020, Executive Summary: Bio/Nano/Materials/Information Trends, Drivers, Barriers, and Social Implications
Presents foresights into global technology trends and their implications for the world in the year 2020.
May 30, 2006
Report
The Global Technology Revolution 2020, In-Depth Analyses: Bio/Nano/Materials/Information Trends, Drivers, Barriers, and Social Implications
Presents in-depth analyses on foresights into global technology trends and their implications for the world in the year 2020.
May 25, 2006
Research Brief
Global Technology Revolution 2020: Technology Trends and Cross-Country Variation
This research brief examines how technology changes -- in economic development, health, environmental quality, and military power -- will play out differently across the globe.
Apr 3, 2006
Testimony
Information Sharing and Emergency Responder Safety Management
Testimony presented before the House Government Reform Committee on March 30, 2006.
Mar 28, 2006
Report
Bioterrorism with Zoonotic Disease: Public Health Preparedness Lessons from a Multiagency Exercise
Reports on an exercise examining the intentional introduction of avian influenza in commercial poultry operations during a severe human influenza season and explores issues associated with public health preparedness for major disease outbreaks.
2006
Journal Article
Groups, Networks, or Movements: A Command-And-Control-Driven Approach to Classifying Terrorist Organizations and Its Application to Al Qaeda
Appropriately describing the properties and defining the boundaries of terrorist groups is frequently challenging.
2006
Report
Training for Urban Resistance: The Case of the Provisional Irish Republican Army
Uses the Provisional Irish Republican Army as an example case to describe and evaluate a terrorist training effort.
2006
Report
Aptitude for Destruction, Volume 1: Organizational Learning in Terrorist Groups and Its Implications for Combating Terrorism
Understanding how terrorist groups learn may aid in developing strategies to combat terrorist activities.
Apr 11, 2005
Report
Aptitude for Destruction, Volume 2: Case Studies of Organizational Learning in Five Terrorist Groups
Case studies of the organizational learning activities of five major terrorist groups and a methodology for ascertaining what and why they learned.
Apr 11, 2005
Draft
Illinois Homeland Security Economic Development Initiative: Scoping Study
Reports the results of work done to examine issues around formulating and implementing a comprehensive economic development strategy for the homeland security industry in the state of Illinois.
Feb 1, 2005
Journal Article
Nano-enabled Components and Systems for Biodefense
Focuses on biomedical applications of nanotechnology in: nanodrugs and drug delivery; prostheses and implants; diagnostics and screening technologies.
2005
Draft
Organizational Learning and Terrorist Groups
Dec 21, 2004
Report
Emergency Responder Injuries and Fatalities: An Analysis of Surveillance Data
Summarizes the results of an analysis of available data sources concerning the hazards facing firefighters, police, and emergency medical responders.
Dec 13, 2004
Report
Protecting Emergency Responders, Volume 3: Safety Management in Disaster and Terrorism Response
Recommendations are outlined for protecting firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical service responders, and other emergency responders during the aftermath of terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and other large-scale emergency incidents.
May 2, 2004
Report
The Office of Science and Technology Policy Blue Ribbon Panel on the Threat of Biological Terrorism Directed Against Livestock
Focuses on the nation's emergency management infrastructure and prioritizes a future research and development portfolio for thwarting potential terrorist bio-attacks against U.S. livestock and related produce.
2004
Research Brief
Safeguarding Emergency Responders During Major Disasters and Terrorist Attacks: The Need for an Integrated Approach
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) teamed with the RAND Corporation to assess existing safety procedures and make recommendations to guide needed changes.
2004
Report
Protecting Emergency Responders, Volume 2: Community Views of Safety and Health Risks and Personal Protection Needs
Examines the hazards that emergency responders face and the personal protective technology needed to contend with those hazards.
2003
Research Brief
Emergency Responders' Views on Their Protection Needs
Emergency responders face serious hazards in their jobs, placing them at high risk of occupational injury or death. Using various forms of personal protective technologies (PPTs) can mitigate that risk.
2003
Report
Innovation and Intellectual Property: The Case of Genomic Patenting
Explores the potential effect on future innovation in biotechnology of a patent on a gene, which may cover a wide range of possible technological applications and be of unknown breadth when issued.
2003
Report
Protecting Emergency Responders: Lessons Learned from Terrorist Attacks
This book is intended to help managers and decisiomakers understand the unique working and safety environment associated with terrorist incidents.
2002
Report
Science & Technology Collaboration: Building Capacity in Developing Countries?
Science & Technology Collaboration: Building Capacity in Developing Countries?
2001
Report
Challenges and Choices for Crime-Fighting Technology Federal Support of State and Local Law Enforcement
Provides findings of a study of technology in use or needed by law enforcement agencies at the state and local level, for the purpose of informing federal policymakers as they consider technology-related support for these agencies.
2001
Report
Technology Acquisition by Terrorist Groups: Threat Assessment Informed by Lessons from Private Sector Technology Adoption
Brings to bear the deep literature that exists on technology adoption by commercial organizations to examine the process through which terrorist groups seek out and deploy new technology.
2001