Boston Marathon Bombing: Counterterrorism Investigation Process in Full Swing
Matt Mayer /
Newscom
In the immediate aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombings, the key to the investigation is strong cooperation and teamwork by the law enforcement entities involved.
This cooperation largely occurs in the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) overseeing the investigation. Led by the FBI, the JTTF will work closely with all law enforcement entities to take leads, investigate those leads, and collect evidence. The painstaking process involves interviewing eyewitnesses, poring over pictures and videos from cameras of onlookers and permanent cameras in the area, combing through various sources to find “chatter” or potential clues about the bombing, and analyzing all evidence collected for potential fingerprints or other identifying marks that will allow law enforcement to unravel the how and the who behind the terrorist attack.
Throughout this process, law enforcement entities will work with the U.S. Attorney’s office to obtain search warrants and other items in need of judicial approval to further gather evidence against suspects.
This process could take days, weeks, or months, so patience will be required by Americans anxious to know how the attack was carried out and by whom.