Shahzad the Times Square Bomber

Can we use profiling to understand the Times Square Bomber? Let’s ask a few questions. Is he independent rather than dependent? … Yes. Is he dominant rather than compliant?…Tough to answer, probably both. Was he under recent stress before the incident?…Yes




Shahzad, the Times Square Bomber, is the son of a senior Pakistani military officer. He’s married with two children, and recently lost his home in foreclosure. There are reports of marital separation, but this has not been confirmed. People who know him say that he’s reserved, unremarkable, professional, and likes to be alone. He prefers darkness to light. At times his reserve nature gives way to strong, unsolicited opinions bordering on invective.



His psychological profile may reveal anti-social features balanced by anxiety and conscience. Expect him to be forthcoming with law enforcement and he will supply valuable information about his trainers. Remember, for a man who went through explosive training, this car bomb proved crude and ineffective. He’s most likely conflicted, not a complete terrorist, and still has artifacts of rational thinking as a result of his upbringing. He may have unconsciously built an ineffective bomb. This would be symbolic of his sociopathic tendencies provoked by stress/anger and an underlying sense of right versus wrong.