Watch CBS News

Bin Laden Photos To Be Kept Sealed

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The image of Osama Bin Laden quickly burned itself into the public conscious nearly 10 years ago with the carnage of September 11th 2001.

However, the possible release of post-mortem photographs taken of the terrorist after Navy SEALs inflicted a "kill shot" that struck Bin Laden above the right eye were quickly raising provocative and worrisome questions.

Would the photos convince un-believers or could they incite revenge against military and civilian targets?

Most people KDKA's Mary Robb Jackson spoke with agree with President Obama's decision not to make the photos available.

"It's probably better not, you know, ultimately because the people that don't believe anything happened aren't going to believe it based on photos," said Bill Locascio.

Paige Bathersfield wasn't as sure, "I don't understand why they haven't released the pictures yet. I feel like with other cases they have."

But Elaine Rubinstein was clear in her sentiments, "If releasing them would cause more violence, I would rather they would not be released."

Professor Haider Ala Hamoudi, who teaches Islamic Law at the University of Pittsburgh also believes the decision may be for the best.

"To show that we in the United States operate on a much higher plane. I like that idea of a global demonstration," the professor said.

Dr. Ron Arnett, Chairman of Communications at Duquesne University, believes the Obama administration had to weigh its decision very carefully.

"The whole world is watching this moment," he said. "It is the job of a government not just simply to think about what seems to be a legitimate action, but what might be some of the unintended consequences."

The FBI is warning that faked death photos of Bid Laden are surfacing on the internet and that some of them may be capable of spreading viruses to your computer.

RELATED LINKS:
CBSNews.com
More on this story
More International News

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.