Office of Law Enforcement
Federal Air Marshal Service

• 91 pages
• For Official Use Only
• Law Enforcement Sensitive
• October 2006

Why Females?

• Terrorist organizations use females because:
• Like most suicide operations, it’s usually simple to plan and low costing.
• In some parts of the world, females have low social status and therefore are considered more expendable.
• Females tend to be more emotional and therefore easier to indoctrinate.
• Since bombers will most likely perish in the attack, there is little fear of them divulging information to security forces.
• Tamil “Black Tigers” carry cyanide pills just in case.
• Most are deliberately uninvolved in the planning in case of capture.
• The media coverage is extensive, especially if the attacker is female.
• Terrorists attempt to embarrass a powerful enemy and show the world that things are desperate that women are now fighting.
• Most importantly, females have the element of surprise!!
• Stealthier attack (tend to draw less attention); in fact on several occasions many female bombers spoke English & wore western clothing & makeup during the attack.
• Sensitivities in searching women (especially in conservative societies).
• Female stereotype (e.g. perceived as nonviolent, feminine, or motherly).
• Women increase the number of combatants to a groups’ depleted manpower.
• There is greater publicity for female bombers (attracts recruits).
• The psychological fear factor of the target (expect anyone can be a bomber).

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