Applying the violent extremist risk assessment (VERA) to a sample of terrorist case studies
| Date | 11 January 2013 |
| Pages | 4-15 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/17596591311290713 |
| Published date | 11 January 2013 |
| Author | Nicola L. Beardsley,Anthony R. Beech |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Sociology |
Applying the violent extremist risk
assessment (VERA) to a sample of terrorist
case studies
Nicola L. Beardsley and Anthony R. Beech
Abstract
Purpose – This paper seeks to evaluate the usefulness of the violent extremist risk assessment (VERA)
by assessing how easily the criteria can be applied to case studies of five terrorists, and to determine
whether it is more applicable to terrorists who work alone or as part of a group.
Design/methodology/approach – Case studies of five terrorists were constructed through online
research. Evidence of each factor outlined in the VERA was rated and a total score for each category
was calculated.
Findings – The majority of factors were easy to apply and were equally applicable to individuals within
the sample regardless of whether they worked alone or as part of a group. The resultstend to support
theory and research about characteristics of violent extremists. This suggests that the factors are
relevant and, therefore, that the VERA is a useful risk assessment guide.
Research limitations/implications – As the research is based on case studies, the findings may not
generalise beyond the sample selected. In addition, some sources used to construct the case studies
may be less reliable. Future research should include larger, more varied and more recent samples.
Practical implications – If future researchconfirms the present findings, the VERA may help toidentify
terrorists at risk of committing future offences. The factors may be incorporated into intervention
strategies to prevent such offences.
Originality/value – Currently, the VERA is mainly for consultation purposes. This study applies it to real
individuals, as it could be of great use in the risk assessment of terrorists.
Keywords Terrorism, Risk assessment,Violent extremism, Project evaluation, Social planning
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Terrorism is difficult to define as it takes many forms with a range of aims and methods.
According to the UK TerrorismAct (2000), terrorism is interpreted as ‘‘the use or threat of action
. . . designed to influence the gover nment or to intimidate the public . . . for the purpose
of advancing a political, religious or ideological cause’’. Despite the various definitions that
have been put forward, it is generally agreed that terrorism involves a premeditated act or
threat of violence intended to result in fear and, ultimately, political change.
The psychology of terrorism has received a great deal of interest because acts of terrorism
not only have physical consequences, but also a huge psychological impact on those
directly affected as well as the rest of society. Consequently, it is very important to gain a
better understanding of terrorist behaviour in order to counter future threats as a way to
protect society. Distinctions between different forms of terrorism lie in the underlying
motivations and the methods employed. Terrorism can be carried out by an organised
group, or by an individual. Terrorists may have religious motives, whereby an individual
believes that they have been divinely commanded to perform the violent act as their sacred
duty. Alternatively, they may seek to achieve elevated status, or to attain the creation of a
new state (nationalist-separatist terrorism).
PAGE 4
j
JOURNAL OF AGGRESSION,CONFLICT AND PEACE RESEARCH
j
VOL.5NO.12013,pp.4-15,QEmerald Group PublishingLimited, ISSN 1759-6599 DOI 10.1108/17596591311290713
Nicola L. Beardsley and
Anthony R. Beech are
both based in the School
of Psychology, University
of Birmingham,
Birmingham, UK.
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