SHoebox™ WORKSHOP FOR INVESTIGATORS AND ANALYSTS

The center point to detecting and neutralizing clandestine cells of terrorist operatives is distinguishing possible local terrorist threat reporting from routine crime event information and then “connecting the dots.” It is for this reason that CRA’s al-Qaeda specialists and law enforcement investigations subject matter experts (SMEs) collaborated in the creation of a groundbreaking course called the SHOEBOX Workshop.

This course is instructed by CRA’s world-class investigators and analysts. The course includes intensive briefings on the origins, motives, operational history, and terrorist tradecraft of the al-Qaeda organization and its worldwide associates. The scenario-based briefings detail the Modus Operandi of al-Qaeda cell members who have infiltrated into the U.S. and are scouting targets in preparation for an attack. Tactics covered include terrorist recruiting, fund-raising, planning, surveillance, explosive material, and operational tradecraft. CRA's instructors have provided Terrorism Awareness training as well as training in Counter-terrorism measures (PIIs) to over 15,000 first responders, and Federal, State and local law enforcement officers.

Students spend the next phase of the workshop immersed in a “live” scenario focused upon the investigation of leads that reveal the inner-workings of an al-Qaeda cell. This scenario is custom-tailored to any location, with consideration to critical infrastructure, population, and the regulatory environment. The students are coached by expert criminal investigators in using special techniques to reveal the significance of 13 pieces of evidence left behind by an al-Qaeda surrogate.

During breakout sessions, students split into teams and exercise the knowledge they’ve gained by ferreting information from the evidence and making plans for the next steps in locating and neutralizing the fictional al-Qaeda cell. Each team briefs on their findings and plans, and are evaluated by the SME investigations instructors. By the end of the workshop period, and with the aid of on-the-spot coaching by the SME investigators, students have the opportunity to “peel back the onion” and thwart the al-Qaeda cell’s efforts to attack its targets.

Following the workshop, CRA instructors and SMEs are available for follow-up, enhancing students’ ability to perform analysis in their day-to-day activities. Also, students are granted access to the CRA research and resources library.

 

INVESTIGATORS

For investigators, the SHOEBOX™ Workshop provides a hands-on exercise to strengthen skill sets, knowledge base, and awareness of terrorism and the al-Qaeda group structure. Investigators are introduced to the significance of Pre-Incident Indicators (PIIs) – observable actions or activities that are fragments of data which can be collected and recognized prior to a terrorist incident. Examples of PIIs include the purchase or theft of unusual quantities of chemicals, document fraud, and surveillance. Investigators coach students in the methods of identifying relationships between information, or “connecting the dots.” Investigative techniques covered include:

• Telecommunications exploitation

• Use of false identification

• Use of money service businesses and the Hawala system

• Use of travel cards

 

ANALYSTS

 

For analysts, the SHOEBOX™ Workshop conforms to the analyst curriculum approved by the US Intelligence Community. Students will enhance their ability to conduct Flow, Association, and Predictive Analysis, as well as the use of the following analytic tools:

• Crime Pattern Analysis (telephone and bank records)

• Association matrices

• Telephone record analysis

• Financial Analysis

• Developing Indicators

 

Shoebox success

In the spring of 2005, 100 members of the Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD) SWAT and Bomb Squad Sections took part in the hands-on Shoebox Workshop at a training facility in Northern Virginia. The SME instructors’ years of field experience created an instant bond with the PRPD students, enhancing this unique learning opportunity.

 

The high quality of this Workshop, as well as CRA’s HazMat training program has prompted the PRPD to engage CRA in conducting a year-long schedule of HazMat / Terrorism Threat / Investigations Training for large numbers of the field police force, as well as several exercises to test these newly acquired capabilities.

Click HERE for SHOEBOX training or call Lenny Lemer at (212) 402-5500 ext. 6710.