What Can Statisticians Do to Contribute to the War On Terrorism?

• Activity Number: 90
• Type: Invited
• Date/Time: Monday, August 12, 2002 : 10:30 AM to 12:20 PM
• Sponsor: Cmte on Statisticians in Defense and National Security
• Author(s): Ernest Seglie*+ and Ron Brookmeyer*+ and Sallie Keller-McNulty*+ and Stephen Younger*+ and John Bailar*+
• Affiliation(s): Office of the Secretary of Defense and Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and Los Alamos National Laboratory and Defense Threat Reduction Agency and University of Chicago
• Keywords: Terrorism ; Testing ; Biostatistics ; Modeling ; Information Protection

Abstract

In the past, statisticians have used the tools of their trade to make major contributions, both theoretical and applied, to the U.S. war efforts. Examples include the estimation of German tank production in World War II. Statisticians' diverse skills make them able to again contribute to the current "War on Terrorism," including in many areas outside the Department of Defense. The purpose of this panel is to discuss several areas where such skills are being, or could be, applied today. These include: 1.) changes in the testing of weapons systems to speed new capabilities to the troops; 2.) use of biostatistics to fight bioterrorism; 3.) techniques for providing information integration and critical infrastructure protection; and 4.) use of statistical modeling to predict effects on urban areas of weapons of mass destruction. In addition, the panel will look at the risks of terrorism, which the media and the public often overestimate when compared to other risks, such as accidents or illness (cancer or flu). The panel will conclude by answering questions submitted by the audience on where the panelists think statisticians can best contribute.