Focus on terrorist watch lists

What does it take to be banned from air travel? U.S. officials are reviewing the watch list and screening procedures, but not all lists are equal:

Terrorist Identities Datamart Environment database: This is the largest collection, with about 550,000 people. U.S. intelligence and law enforcement as well as allies can nominate “known or suspected terrorists” for this database. The TIDE list is maintained by the National Counterterrorism Center and was set up after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, a 23-year-old Nigerian accused of trying to ignite an incendiary device on an airliner as it approached Detroit on Friday, was in this database.

Consolidated Terrorist Watchlist: About 400,000 individuals. People are moved onto this list, which is maintained by the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Center, after two requirements are met. First there must be sufficient biographical and identifying data so that the person being screened can be matched to the name, and second, there must be enough information to justify a “reasonable suspicion” that the person may be engaged or preparing to engage in terrorist activities. Timothy J. Healy, director of the Terrorist Screening Center, said this month that officials get 400 to 1,200 additions, deletions or changes to the terrorist watch list every day.

Selectee List: A subset of the Consolidated Terrorist Watchlist, with about 14,000 individuals. People are placed on this list when there is more information about their activities suggesting they may pose a threat, including to aviation. These people require more stringent, or what is called “secondary,” screening when they fly.

No-Fly List: Also a subset of the watch list, with about 3,400 people, including roughly 170 U.S. residents. In order to be placed on the no-fly list, “a known or suspected terrorist” must meet more specific criteria showing he or she presents a threat to civil aviation or national security.

-- Associated Press