Out of the three devices, Radiological Dispersal Devices are the most common. For one thing, these devices “…require limited technical knowledge…” that is why terrorists are more likely to make these bombs (Radiological Dispersion Device, n.d.). Also, because of that, there is not one standard specific model for Radiological Dispersal Devices; each device has their own unique characteristics.
Radiological Dispersal Devices do not “…release enough radiation to kill people or cause severe illness…” but “…[the] explosive itself [is] more harmful…[and all it] create[s is] fear and panic, contaminate property, and require potentially costly cleanup…” (Fact Sheet on Dirty Bombs , 2012). This is why this device should be a Weapon of Mass Disruption; although it doesn’t kill much, it definitely shakes things up. Disruption is a key component of a terrorist groups strategy for making their “…enemy’s life unbearable by attacking…” (Forest & Howard, 2013, p. 36).
Lastly, there is one very important thing that RDDs can impact. RDDs are “…powerfully coercive and could [possibly] trigger enormous political reactions ... These reactions could produce …show more content…
I mean, I suppose it can be used to start something, but RIDs are typically used as a secondary attack. Not only are they used to create panic and chaos in the middle of a disaster, but they can worsen the situation by adding “fuel” the fire. Shapiro lists a situation like this; he says to imagine “…..a radioactive bomb with an incendiary device on the upper floor of a high-rise building. [it] would create a rapidly expanding fire that could engulf a building quickly…” (Shapiro, 2005). Situations typically get bad to worse during a secondary attack, when our first responders are in the