Statistical modelling of a terrorist network. (18th September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Aitkin, Murray; Vu, Duy; Francis, Brian
• Is Part Of: Journal of the Royal Statistical Society. Volume 180:Number 3(2017:Jul.)
• Page Start: 751
• Page End: 768
• Publication Date: 2016-09-18
• Subjects: Bayesian model comparison -- Latent classes -- Noordin Top terrorist network -- Terrorist groups; Social sciences -- Statistical methods -- Periodicals; Statistics -- Periodicals; 300.15195
• DOI: 10.1111/rssa.12233
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0964-1998

Abstract

Summary: The paper investigates the group structure in a terrorist network through the latent class model and a Bayesian model comparison method for the number of latent classes. The analysis of the terrorist network is sensitive to the model specification. Under one model it clearly identifies a group containing the leaders and organizers, and the group structure suggests a hierarchy of leaders, trainers and 'foot soldiers' who carry out the attacks.