Digital Footprints on the Pathway to Violence: Opportunities for AI-Enhanced Triage for Prevention
The prevention of terrorism and targeted violence remains one of law enforcement's most pressing challenges. Violent extremism is characterized by complex radicalization processes that often leave digital breadcrumbs. This session addresses the need for effective triage of tips and leads through an examination of behavioral indicators, digital artifacts, and the potential application of artificial intelligence. Participants gain insight into behavioral indicators associated with radicalization to violence; how digital artifacts can be probative in the triage process; how closed communities and violent subcultures may manifest in digital spaces; and the potential value of artificial intelligence, including what an AI based triage tool for tips and leads might look like.
- Identify the key behavioral indicators and digital artifacts associated with the radicalization process and pathway to violence.
- Explain how digital evidence such as browser history, attack glorification, and involvement in closed communities can inform the triage process for terrorism and targeted violence prevention.
- Discuss how artificial intelligence tools may be utilized to effectively analyze and prioritize tips, leads, and suspicious activity reports related to potential acts of terrorism and targeted violence.
James Emerson
Vice President
National White Collar Crime Center, NW3C
LtCol James J. Emerson USMC (Ret) is Vice President at the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C).
Jim has more than 45 years of law enforcement and security experience with a 20-year focus on cybercrime investigation, computer forensics, and related criminal intelligence. He is an IADLEST National and International Certified Instructor and currently an instructor in the NW3C Digital Forensic Examiner Expert Witness Course. Jim is a member of the Scientific Working Group on Digital Evidence (SWGDE) and currently the PI for a NIST Grant to develop Quality Management Standards for Digital Multimedia Evidence, has been the Chairman of the International Association of Chiefs of Police Computer Crime and Digital Evidence Committee for over twelve years, a member of the IACP Law Enforcement Information and Technology Section Board of Officers, Co-Chair of the IACP CJIS Security Policy Modernization Working Group, and is the 2022 IACP G. Thomas Steele award recipient for Excellence and Innovation in Law Enforcement Information Technology.
Kurt Reuther
Senior Research Associate
Institute for Intergovernmental Research (IIR)
Kurt Reuther is a senior research associate with the Institute for Intergovernmental Research (IIR). Prior to joining IIR, Mr. Reuther worked at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Intelligence & Analysis (I&A) and the State of Delaware. During his tenure with DHS I&A, Mr. Reuther served as the Acting Principal Deputy Undersecretary, the Director of the Counterterrorism Mission Center, and the Director of Field Operations, Mr. Reuther’s served as the Chief of the DENRP’s Environmental Crimes Section and with the Delaware State Police, where he served in the Delaware Information and Analysis Center. Mr. Reuther finished his career with the State of Delaware serving as the Governor’s Homeland Security Advisor. Mr. Reuther holds a Bachelor of Science degree in park management and a Master of Science degree in homeland security and organizational leadership. Mr. Reuther is a graduate of the 195th Session of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy, the Naval Postgraduate School’s Fusion Center Leaders Program, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s Leading the Intelligence Community Program.
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