Profile of America Lone Wolfs

• In Event: Examining the Global Profile of the 'Lone Wolf'

Abstract

This panel will examine and discuss the profile of the America “Lone Wolf” and the characteristics of the lone wolf globally. Though there is no universally acceptable or agreed upon definition of “lone wolf” in academia or internationally. However, the United State law enforcement agencies and other sources refer to this phenomenon as “individuals undertaking violent acts of terrorism outside a command structure." The absence of a unified effort to establish a meaning indicates a lack of professional consensus regarding the definition of “lone wolf terrorist”. This void in research will be one of the main focus of this discussion. The panel members will present datelines and calendar of lone wolf events, incidents, and activities in the USA and elsewhere. The focus is to expose and encourage research into this untamed academic terrain and develop a solid profile that can assist and provide law enforcement community the tools they need to be able to identify lone wolf radicalization, aid investigation and tracking of terrorist cells. We will analyze the limited past and current studies regarding lone-wolf terrorism to better illuminate and understand motivations of these “fanatics, extremists and terrorists."

Author

• Evaristus Obinyan, Albany State University