WTC Records Folder 0128 Disaster Information General label, 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Responding to Terrorism Victims - Oklahoma City and Beyond Page 5 of 10

to criminal justice proceedings.

Federal Victim Assistance

The Federal agencies charged with responding to acts of terrorism, both domestically and abroad, should develop detailed protocols or a coordinated crisis response plan with the Office for Victims of Crime to ensure that the rights and needs of terrorism victims are adequately supported.

Recommendation 1

Investigators, prosecutors, victim-witness coordinators, and court personnel should receive training on basic victims' rights laws and services.

Discussion The Attorney General Guidelines on Victim and Witness Assistance provides a basis for training on legal requirements. Supplemental training should include basic information on the mental health consequences of victimization and available resources and services for victims.

Recommendation 2

The FBI should ensure that plans and resources are in place to keep victims informed of the status of the investigation and case events and that agents can provide information and referrals to victims for compensation and services.

Discussion Investigative agencies such as the FBI have responsibility for responding to victims of terrorism until charges are filed, at which time the responsibility transfers to the relevant U.S. Attorney's Office. Whenever possible, victims should be informed of critical case events by the investigative agency before that information is released to the media. The FBI should work closely with the Office for Victims of Crime to coordinate supplemental funding and assistance in dealing with large numbers of victims. In cases of airline disasters, the FBI will need to coordinate with the Family Assistance Program in the National Transportation Safety Board. Cases that occur overseas require coordination with the U.S. Department of State, because that department is charged with taking the lead in the emergency response to terrorism against Americans abroad. Not all terrorism cases will result in an arrest and trial as quickly as these events occurred after the bombing of the Murrah Building24 It is not always immediately clear if a mass- casualty event is the result of a criminal act as illustrated by the crash of TWA Flight 800. In addition, cases involving chemical and biological agents may affect thousands of people and create huge challenges for disseminating critical information about the medical impact of exposure, safety, and availability of services.0

Recommendation 3

Federal agencies need to ensure that identification of victims and access to victim

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/publications/inforesirespterrorism/chap9.htn-A 9/29/01

NYC-WTC 000137336