Homicide

q&a

Reducing Police Violence: Q&A with Melissa Labriola

A succession of high-profile police killings has prompted some departments and communities to seek change. But data is sparse, and research is thin. Melissa Labriola helped lead a study of police violence and developed a road map for future research that could move the field forward.

blog

U.S. Labor Market, 988 Hotline, Firearm Homicides: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on the U.S. economy’s uneven pandemic recovery, a new national mental health hotline, firearm homicides, and more.

blog

Extremism Online, Russia's Military, Preventing Police Killings: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on the internet's role in stoking extremism and hate, how Russia has failed its military personnel, a research roadmap to help prevent police killings in the United States, and more.

commentary

When Is a Terrorist Really a Terrorist?

Countering mass violence demands a distinction between attackers who are truly inspired by jihadism and those with lesser links. The latter includes people whose mental states and violent tendencies preexist their exposure to the ideology.

Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins

commentary

Troubling Truth Beneath Litvinenko Headlines

Slipping radioactive material into a spy's tea in the middle of London may not sound like a CBRN attack, but it is, as the Owen report has confirmed. Hopefully, the report's release will help focus global attention on the growing threat posed by these devastating weapons.

Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein

commentary

Silencing the Science on Gun Research

The United States has long relied on public health science to improve the safety, health, and lives of its citizens. Perhaps the same straightforward, problem-solving approach that worked well in other circumstances can help the nation meet the challenge of firearm violence, writes Arthur Kellermann.

Arthur L. Kellermann, Frederick P. Rivara

commentary

Wanted Dead or Alive? When We Don't Get Our Man

On his first day in office, President Barack Obama issued a dramatic series of executive orders intended to symbolize a change of direction in America's "war" on terrorism. Despite the headlines these orders generated, a more significant policy shift may have been the one signaled the week before his inauguration, writes Benjamin Runkle.

Benjamin Runkle

commentary

Probing Why Women Kill in Iraq

A significant emphasis has been placed on female suicide bombers' tactical success, and efforts to determine why they kill focus on al-Qaida's recruitment of women. But little attention is paid to the personal motivation women have for killing themselves and dozens of innocents around them, writes Farhana Ali.

Farhana Ali

commentary

Biometrics in the War on Terror

Published commentary by RAND staff: Biometrics in the War on Terror in United Press International.

John D. Woodward

commentary

Democracy's Defense: Values and Justice

Published commentary by RAND staff: Democracy's Defense: Values and Justice in the Baltimore Sun.

Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins

commentary

World Becomes the Hostage of Media-Savvy Terrorists

Published commentary by RAND staff.

Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins

commentary

Get Used to It: Our Airports Are Vulnerable to Terrorism

Published commentary by RAND staff.

Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins

commentary

Religion Isn't Sole Motive of Terror

Published commentary by RAND staff.

John V. Parachini @JohnParachini

commentary

A Confounding, Complex Tragedy

Without external assistance, Colombia cannot defeat the guerrilla-gangster Minotaur that consumes it. It is in our national interest to help. At the same time, it is necessary that we fully comprehend the harsh realities we and our Colombian allies face.

Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins

commentary

Get Real in Dealing With Homicides in Los Angeles

Homicide in Los Angeles is on the rise again. Before accepting any of the canned explanations, we ought to take a closer look. Once we know what's really going on, we have a chance to design strategies that work.

George Tita, Mark A. R. Kleiman