The October 2007 issue of Government Executive explores how social science methods can contribute to a better understanding of the terrorist threat and dynamics of terrorism and how START is contributing to this effort. "A Feel for Numbers" profiles the efforts of START Director Gary LaFree to compile and analyze the Global Terrorism Database (GTD) and discusses how the GTD can serve as an essential tool for assessing the effectiveness of counterterrorism measures around the world.
The Global Terrorism Database includes detailed information on more than 70,000 terrorist events that have occurred around the world since 1970. This public database provides systematic information on when and where these events occurred, who launched the attacks, what weapons were used, and that nature of the damage caused by the attacks.