Drawn from case examples of incidents from around the world, Targeted Violence: A Statistical and Tactical Analysis of Assassinations, Contract Killings, and Kidnappings is the most complete resource of information on the attack methodologies, tactics used, and groups responsible for targeted killings and kidnappings. The author, a former SWAT and JTTF team member-whose experience includes providing protection to diplomats, high-ranking military personnel, prosecutors, and organized crime informants-presents a wealth of global statistics on assassinations, contract killings, and kidnappings that have occurred from 1950 to the present.
Leaving no stone unturned, the book breaks down the various incidents of targeted violence by region, country, month, day of the week, and time of day. It reports on likely locations for each type of attack, success rates, who is likely to initiate the attacks, and who they are most likely to target. The book's easy-to-follow format allows readers, experienced or not in personal protective work, to determine the types of attacks known to have occurred in any region.
This complete reference includes 35 case studies that examine attacks on motorcades and pedestrians dating back to 1973-highlighting the lessons to be learned from each example. It analyzes the modus operandi of individual assailants and groups in order to determine commonalities between targeted victims and why certain groups tend to target a specific type of individual. The text concludes with a chapter on victimology.
Just like anyone, assassins and hit men fall into routines and can become creatures of habit. By studying and understanding the collection of historical information contained in these pages, security, military, and law enforcement professionals responsible for providing protection will be better prepared to identify potential threats and develop the tactics needed to thwart such attacks.
Author Glenn P. McGovern has aggregated 900 incidents spanning from 1950 through 2008. These attacks include assassinations, contract killings, and kidnappings perpetrated around the world. He provides a global statistical breakdown of these incidents regionally and globally, further broken down by the month, day of the week, and hour in which the attack took place. Amazingly, this analysis reads well and is presented in an easy-to-understand format, making it simple for the reader to put the data in practical perspective.
One of the book's more interesting sections addresses attack methodologies, closely examining the primary tactic or technique employed by attackers attempting assassinations, contract killings, or kidnappings. Other sections deal with the methods of operation and victimology, breaking down terrorist groups, past and present, and looking at those targeted.The book's final sections feature 35 case studies examining attacks on motorcades and pedestrians dating back to 1973. McGovern offers a complete analysis after each case study. Targeted Violence is astudy well worth reading for all security, executive protection, and asset protection professionals. Each of us, regardless of level, must be able to both identify and compromise these threats.- Frederick D. "Rick" Arons, CPP, CRT, President and CEO of American Eagle Investigations & former member of the U.S. Army Special Forces, in Security Management, March 2011
