Using Crime-Involved Places (CS4) to Understand Terrorist Attacks: The Importance of In-Person and Online Place Networks

• In Event: Communities and Place: Micro Places, Terrorism, and Property Managers

Abstract

Traditionally, terrorism studies emphasize understanding why terrorism occurs. However, less research examines how it occurs. This study applies crime place networks, an environmental criminology framework, to analyze terrorist events. Examining crime place networks provides a nuanced exploration of the intricate infrastructure underlying criminal activities known as crime-involved places (CS4). Comprising of crime sites, convergence settings, comfort spaces, and corrupting spots, CS4 offers a comprehensive way to examine how terrorist events occur. Using a case study, we illustrate the utility of CS4 in the context of a terrorist event. Findings indicate the potential of CS4 to unveil previously overlooked locations crucial to terrorist events and inform counter-extremism efforts. Furthermore, we propose extending CS4 to online spaces, contributing novel insights into the digital dimensions of terrorism. This paper offers a unique theoretical contribution by introducing a new application of CS4 and underscoring the significance of integrating environmental criminology with terrorism studies.

Authors

• Ivana Zdjelar, Simon Fraser University

• Mackenzie Hart, Simon Fraser University

• Shannon J. Linning, Simon Fraser University

• Garth James Davies, Simon Fraser University