Threat Assessment and Intervention

As martial artists, we are more aware of our environment then most people. As times change we need to keep up to date on current social trends, threat warning signs and appropriate responses. This will help us to keep ourselves and our family safe from potential violence. Nothing is a guarantee for safety; but, awareness goes a long way towards avoidance.

The School Shooter: A THREAT ASSESSMENT PERSPECTIVE by Mary Ellen O'Toole, PhD, Supervisory Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation is geared towards school teachers, administrators, mental health providers and law enforcement; but, is valuable to everyone. The focus is on school shootings since they have a higher shock value then non-homicidal violence. The fact that we have become numb to non-homicidal violence is for another discussion. But, the warning signs and evaluation process will be the same for most violent threats.

There are many warnings on over-reacting to a checklist or display of just one or two behavioral characteristics. This can not be overstated given the effects of the zero-tolerance policy in some situations. See Has 'zero tolerance' in schools gone too far? for more on this. The FBI report covers assessment, findings, intervention, and examples. It will educate you on things to look out for that may not have been a factor when you grew up.

Read the report here.