Editing CIA A Study Of Assassination (1953) (section)

===THE ASSASSIN ===

In safe assassinations, the assassin needs the usual qualities of a clandestine 
agent. He should be determined, courageous, intelligent, resourceful, and 
physically active. If special equipment is to be used, such as firearms or 
drugs, it is clear that he must have outstanding skill with such equipment. 

Except in terroristic assassinations, it is desirable that the assassin be 
transient in the area. He should have an absolute minimum of contact with the 
rest of the organization and his instructions should be given orally by one 
person only. His safe evacuation after the act is absolutely essential, but here 
again contact should be as limited as possible. It is preferable that the person 
issuing instructions also conduct any withdrawal or covering action which may 
be necessary. 

In lost assassination, the assassin must be a fanatic of some sort. Politics, 
religion, and revenge are about the only feasible motives. Since a fanatic is 
unstable psychologically, he must be handled with extreme care. He must not 
know the identities of the other members of the organization, for although it is 
intended that he die in the act, something may go wrong. While the assassin 
of Trotsky has never revealed any significant information, it was unsound to 
depend on this when the act was planned.