Lone Wolf Terrorists and Law Enforcement: The Foundation and Make-up of an Extremist Societal Change Agent

• In Event: Emerging Frontiers in Crime, Control, and Prevention

Abstract

Lone wolf terrorists continue to attract attention of those in law enforcement. This study examines key features of the lone wolf phenomenon. Among these are ways lone wolves emerge from wider populations; how the lone wolf constructs personal philosophies, values and beliefs; and, importantly, this research presents a clearer understanding of ways the lone wolf's foundation for action is shaped by individual thinking and decisions to act rather than the direction of others.

Two theories guide this research. Complexity theory is frequently used to explain aspects of group behavior, but our research suggests it is also is a tool for explaining the lone wolf's behavior. Next transformation theory recognizing "a permanent change in an organism, or the changed organism itself" is used for a deeper understanding of the emergence of lone wolves. The lone wolf is a mutation whose performance may be poor or incomplete. Mutation in combination with complexity theory contributes to understanding the foundation and framework of these individuals. Those in law enforcement and related fields can build off information presented to understand how decisions to join, to perform as a member of or, to leave an organization and become a lone wolf materialize.

Author

• Dennis Tafoya, CompCite Inc