Obama: Boston Bombings 'Act of Terrorism' - What You Should Know About the Ongoing Investigation

President Obama defined the bombings at the 117th Boston Marathon as an "act of terrorism" during a press conference this afternoon.

Yesterday, two explosions occurred near the finish line of the race, resulting in three deaths and 176 injuries.

"This was a heinous and cowardly act and given what we now know about what took place, the FBI is investigating it as an act of terrorism," Obama said after a briefing with top national security advisors. 

"Any time bombs are used to target innocent civilians it is an act of terror"

But the question of who carried out the attack remains unanswered.

Whether the bombings are a result of international or domestic terrorist activity, group or individual, has yet to be determined---Obama said during the press conference.

Today was the first instance that the President used the word "terrorism" in describing what happened at the Boston Marathon.

But despite the language used to describe the attacks, a large investigation is underway to find out who was responsible for the bombings.

"What occurred yesterday in Boston was an act of cowardice. While there will be an opportunity in the future at the conclusion of this investigation to officially define this act, make no mistake an act of cowardice and of this severity can not be justified or explained it can only be answered," said Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley at a press conference Tuesday.

The FBI is now leading a massive investigation into the twin bombings that shook Boston yesterday. 

There have been no suspects identified officially in the case and no group or individual has taken responsibility for the bombings.

Forensic specialists are now working to find bombmaker "signatures"-unique markings that may lead investigators to a suspect.

And while nothing has been confirmed, there is speculation among security experts that the attacks were a result of methodical planning efforts.

Jeffrey Grossmann, director of the Homeland and Corporate Security Program at St. John's University, says that planning for an attack like the Boston Marathon bombings could have taken months.

"The fact that these devices have been found in multiple locations point to a coordinated effort," said Grossman, who has a background as a security executive with a specialty in criminal investigation.  

"Events like this require advanced preparation and dry runs that may have been happening without detection for months.  The timing of the event [Patriots Day] and the high-profile Boston Marathon were likely contributing factors in choosing where and when to act."

And Richard Deslauriers, FBI special agent in charge, said that the agency plans to execute an investigation that may lead them out of the Boston area and even out of the country. 

"Our investigation certainly will not be confined very likely to the city limits of Boston. It would extend out to the eastern Massachusetts area," said Richard Deslauriers, FBI special agent in charge.

"This will be a worldwide investigation. We will go where the evidence and the leads take us. We will go to the ends of the earth to identify the subject or subjects who are responsible for this despicable crime and we will do everything we can to bring them to justice."

Investigators are asking anyone with information or images to please contact them.

"No piece of information or detail is too small," officials said yesterday.

Obama is slated to meet with cabinet, national security and counter-terror advisors tonight.

"We will find whoever harmed our citizens and we will bring them to justice," Obama said.

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Source: CNN