Table Of ContentA Guide To Identifying Terrorists Through Body Language
Lillian Glass, PhD, Author of the Bestseller Toxic People ™, Internationally Renowned
Communication and Body Language Expert, and D. Vincent Sullivan, JD, Former FBI Supervisory
Special Agent, Behavioral Analysis Program Manager, Prior Member of Joint Terrorist Task Force
Avon, Massachusetts
Dedication
To those who have lost their life, or who have lost a loved one, or whose life has been adversely affected due to the acts of those who
masterminded or executed any act of terrorism. Let the information in these pages both comfort and empower you. Know that by
recognizing terrorists through their body language and communication patterns, we are one step closer to thwarting their malicious efforts
and winning the “War on Terrorism.”
Acknowledgments
We would like to acknowledge our editor, Paula Munier, Chris Duffy, and our editor Laura Daly along with all of the wonderful people at
Adams Media who helped put this book together. They afforded us the opportunity to share this valuable information with you.
Contents
Introduction: The Terrorists Among Us
Part I
Understanding the Psyche of the Terrorist
Chapter 1
Eight Types of Terrorists
Chapter 2
Profiling Terrorists
Chapter 3
Behind the Mask of Terrorists: Understanding Their Real Psyche
Part II
Reading Red Flag Body Language, Voice, and Speech Patterns
Chapter 4
A Terrorist’s Body Doesn’t Lie
Chapter 5
The Face of a Terrorist
Chapter 6
Out of the Mouths of Terrorists — Voice/Speech Patterns
Part III
Catching Terrorists
Chapter 7
Man vs. Machine in Detecting Terrorists
Chapter 8
Trusting Your Gut
Chapter 9
The Global Neighborhood Watch
Chapter 10
Case Studies of Body Language and Speech Analysis
Conclusion
You Saw Something? Now Say Something!
About the Authors
Appendix A
Key “Tells”: The Four Emotional States of Terrorists
Appendix B
Fusion Centers
Appendix C
Timeline: Sampling of Terrorist Activities over the Past Fifty Years
Bibliography
Also Available
Copyright Page
Introduction
The Terrorists Among Us
A Call for Survival
Even though one of the world’s most notorious terrorists, Osama bin Laden, is no longer alive, his death by no means signified the end of
terrorism. On the contrary, his death may have refueled hatred around the world, and a new al-Qaeda leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri,
continues his mission of hate.
Al-Qaeda is not the only organization to worry about when it comes to terrorist attacks, however. That’s why, in the pages of this
book, we do not single out Muslims or any specific religious beliefs whatsoever. Terrorist groups exist in many countries around the world,
including the United States. In fact, in early 2011, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano reported to the House Homeland
Security Committee that “One of the most striking elements of today’s threat picture is that plots to attack America increasingly involve
American residents and citizens. We are now operating under the assumption, based on the latest intelligence and recent arrests, that
individuals prepared to carry out terrorist attacks and acts of violence might be in the United States, and they could carry out acts of
violence with little or no warning.”
The fact that terrorists could reside anywhere is exactly why it’s so important that everyone read this book. It is not only vital for your
personal survival, it is vital for your family and friends’ survival. Most important of all, it is vital for the survival of people nationwide and
worldwide. In order to help law enforcement officials spot terrorists, every person on Earth must become observant about what is going on
around him or her.
Terrorism at Home
Most of us go about our daily activities believing the world is a pleasantly predictable place. We go to work, get the kids to school, shop,
or go to sporting or entertainment events. But the reality is that life in the United States can be unpleasant and unpredictable, as shown by
recent news headlines like these:
“New Terror Report Warns of Insider Threat to Utilities”
“Terror Threat Remains as Bin Laden Likely to Inspire Attacks Even in Death”
“Threat of ‘Lone Wolf’ Avengers”
“U.S. on Alert for Hastened Terrorist Plots”
“Expert Security Checkpoints Near Soft Targets May Be the Norm”
“Four Arrested After Suspicious Incident at Denver International Airport”
Terrorism Around the World
The threat of terrorism is not just in the United States, of course. It is present in every part of the globe, as you can see from these
headlines:
“China Blames Terrorists for Attack in Xinjiang
“France on Terrorism Alert”
“Chechnyan Terrorists Attack Russia”
“Alleged Terrorism Plot Targeted Canada”
“Female Suicide Bomber Kills 45 in Pakistan”
“Dutch Detain Somalis in Terror Raid”
“Bomb Blast Kills at Least 11 in Nigeria”
“Police Search Mumbai for 4th Alleged Terror Plot”
Indeed, the threat of terrorism is everywhere in the United States — in small cities, suburbs, rural areas, and big cities. It can be found
on the Internet in chat rooms and online forums, on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages in an attempt to spread hatred and recruit
others to their cause. Terrorists target a wide range of potential recruits, including vulnerable children, teens, young men searching for an
identity, and even single women looking for a relationship.
Terrorists walk, shop, eat, and even attend school with us. For example, consider Ali Saleh Kahlah al-Marri, a citizen of Qatar who
was taken into custody in December 2001 on charges of being a sleeper Al-Qaeda agent while studying at Bradley University in Peoria,
Illinois.
Possible terrorists might also be “homegrown” terrorists, like North Carolina resident Daniel Boyd, who along with six others
(including his sons) was arrested in 2009 for allegedly plotting to commit violent attacks on people abroad. Would-be terrorists have been
apprehended in other cities throughout the United States, including Dearborn, Michigan, and Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 2011, Omer Abdi
Mohamed, 26, a Minnesota Somali-American, pleaded guilty to helping send a wave of young Somali-Americans back to Somalia to fight
against Ethiopian troops who were in Somalia assisting the transition to a new government.
Even though these men were arrested for committing terrorist acts abroad, law enforcement officials fear what these types of terrorists
could do on American soil. In fact, FBI Director Robert Mueller stated, “It raises the question of whether these young men will one day
come home, and, if so, what might they undertake here.”
Pay Close Attention to What Goes on Around You
Even if you feel safe where you live, you can no longer go about your daily activities with your proverbial “head in the sand” (or, in modern-
day language, your “head in your laptop, iPod, or cell phone”). You simply can’t ignore all else as you text and e-mail.
There are countless stories of people who have so been so distracted by these devices that they have put themselves and others in
danger. Consider news reports claiming that a prominent Los Angeles surgeon drove over a cliff while texting in 2010, or that a Virginia
high school student was struck and killed by a car while texting and listening to music in 2011. In both tragedies, the victims apparently
weren’t paying attention to the most important task at hand — ensuring their own safety. Their senses — sight, hearing, and so on — were
focused on their electronic devices, not on the world around them.
It’s essential to keep your wits about you if you want to be an alert citizen in this post-9/11 age. Most of us are so focused on our
electronic devices — either for work or play — that we ignore the sights and sounds of our immediate environment. It’s exactly this kind of
inattentiveness that allows terrorists to slip into places unnoticed and unleash their fury before innocent bystanders even look up.
Of course, we’re not saying that you can’t use your laptops, tablets, or smartphones. We are saying be aware of everything going on
around you at all times! In this “Age of Terrorism,” you must pay close attention to who is nearby, and what is going on around you. Today,
you have no choice but to multitask as you use your personal devices. Today, your only choice is to become an astute observer of your
world.
Being Proactive in Times of Terrorism
Using a step-by-step approach, A Guide To Identifying Terrorists Through Body Language shows you how to become more proactive
in spotting possible terrorists. You can do that by carefully observing those who live and work near you. You’ll learn what to look for, and
what certain behaviors might mean. With this knowledge, you won’t be rendered completely helpless and victimized by those who try to
intimidate through evil means. You can learn to fight back by picking up on certain suspicious body language and communication cues.
If You See or Hear Something, Say Something!
In response to the threat of terrorism in the United States, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security initiated programs to enlist the
average citizen’s support in detecting potential terrorists. The most well known is the “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign,
which was created in 2002 by New York City’s Metropolitan Transit Authority (partly funded by a $13 million grant from Homeland
Security). Homeland Security has subsequently expanded and promoted the program in other transit agencies and some private entities,
including Walmart, the Mall of America, the American Hotel & Lodging Association, and large sports venues.
This book helps promote and supports the Department of Homeland Security’s campaign, and expands it to include keeping an ear
open for suspicious conversations or communications you might hear. You have probably seen Homeland Security posters reminding you
to:
1. Be alert to unattended packages
2. Be wary of suspicious behavior
3. Take notice of people in bulky or inappropriate clothing
4. Report exposed wiring or other irregularities in equipment
5. Report anyone tampering with surveillance cameras or entering unauthorized areas
If you notice anything suspicious, you should, of course, call authorities. However, these particular behaviors are not the only things
you should report. You should report people who do any of the following:
1. Discuss a future plan for a terrorist act
2. Talk about mailing or delivering a dangerous package or letter
3. Mention a bomb or explosive device
4. Speak of plans to release poisonous chemicals into the air, water, or food supply
5. Loiter inappropriately around schools, large public venues, public transportation sites, government agencies, or restricted areas
6. Communicate fantasies of killing or harming citizens in terrorist attacks
7. Claim to be being a member of an organization that supports killing people, or say that they support these organizations verbally or
financially
If you observe or hear any of these behaviors, you are morally obligated to speak up! Never assume they are kidding. Call 911
immediately or contact a “fusion center,” which we will discuss later in the book.
How to Report a Suspicious Person or Activity
Before you report an incident, collect as many facts as possible so you can communicate them clearly to law enforcement. One trick is
to use the four major questions used by journalists: who, what, when, and where.
1. Describe where you observed what you heard or saw. Give a street address, building name, etc.
2. State when you observed the behavior.
3. Describe who the person is, in as much detail as possible. Mention others who were present, as well as exact descriptions of any
relevant vehicles.
4. Tell what you observed, sticking to the facts of what happened.
Staying Vigilant While Respecting Others’ Rights
Some people bristle at the thought of reporting something suspicious, for one reason or another. Perhaps they feel that the other person’s
behavior is none of their business. But in fact, it is their business. Preventing terrorism in the world is everyone’s business.
Or, perhaps they do not wish to violate anyone’s rights to privacy or to religious freedom. If these things cross your mind, all you have
to do before you report is make sure that you really did see or hear something suspicious. For example, your neighbor owning a properly
licensed gun is not in itself suspicious, but if he began behavior that you thought was a possible indication of unlawfully harming others you
should report it to the authorities and let them make a further determination. Above all, you want to consider the your safety and the safety
of those around you, and it’s better to be safe than sorry. So if you see someone buying gallons of acetone or hydrogen peroxide or many
disposable cell phones at once, tell the authorities. Just as everyone has individual rights to privacy and freedom of religion, you have a right
to your own safety. It is no one’s right to cause intentional harm through acts of terror.
There is no reasoning with someone whose mission in life is to kill and be killed. That is why this book is so important for you. You
must know the signs that can be dangerous to you.
What’s in This Book?
The book is divided into three sections: Understanding the Psyche of the Terrorist, Reading Red Flag Body Language, Voice, and Speech
Patterns, and Catching Terrorists.
In the first part, you will learn about the different types of terrorists and you will gain insight into their psyche. You will learn about the
pros and cons of profiling. Finally, you will learn about the different types of emotions that drive a terrorist to act out.
In the second part, you will discover what to look for in a possible terrorist, in terms of a person’s body language, facial language, and
speech and voice patterns.
In the final part, you will discover technology available to help catch terrorists, and learn about the effectiveness of man versus
machine in terrorist detection. You will also learn how to protect yourself at home and while traveling by using vigilant techniques.
Who Are We?
The life-saving information in this book is unlike any you will receive, because it is the result of the combined efforts of two top
professionals in their fields. Lillian Glass, PhD, is an internationally renowned and well-respected communication and body language expert,
and the bestselling author of Toxic People .
D. Vincent Sullivan is a highly astute former FBI Special Agent and former manager of the Behavioral Analysis Program, and was also
a member of the FBI–Joint Terrorist Task Force.
Together, we bring you valuable information that will revolutionize the way you think about terrorism and look at terrorists. We are
confident that this book has the potential to make a valuable difference in your life and in the lives of those you love.
Part I
Understanding the Psyche of the
Terrorist
In this section, you will learn how terrorists are made, not born, and discover the eight different types of terrorists and what makes them
tick. You’ll also read about the motivations of some of the most infamous terrorists, such as Mohamed Atta, Richard Reid, and Ayman al-
Zawahiri. As you learn about their psyche, you will get some insight into why someone would want to become a terrorist. The controversial
topic of profiling for terrorists will be addressed in terms of its pros and cons.
As we unmask the terrorist, you will learn about the main emotions that motivate their actions. Understanding the variety of emotional
states might alert you to their state of mind.
