Definition claims

The Secret Service model is designed to identify individuals displaying threatening or concerning behavior, gather information to assess if that individual poses a risk of violence, and then manage the risk by implementing the appropriate interventions.

The Secret Service defines targeted violence as a premeditated act of violence directed at a specific individual, group, or location, regardless of motivation and generally unrelated to other criminal activity.

In addition to assassination, this term encompasses other types of violence that have beset communities across the United States, including mass shootings, workplace violence, school attacks, and acts of terrorism.

Behavioral threat assessment is an approach to proactively prevent incidents of targeted violence.

A behavior-based approach to proactively prevent incidents of targeted violence.

The primary objective of a behavioral threat assessment is to gather information about an individual of concern in order to assess and manage the risk of violence they may pose—in other words, prevention.

is a proactive approach to violence prevention. | is not a criminal investigation. provides an avenue for early intervention. | is not a physical security measure. focuses on assessing and managing is not profiling. concerning behavior.

Concerning behaviors include actions or communications by an individual that are troubling or inappropriate and indicate a potential risk of violence.

Concerning behaviors exist along a continuum of criminal and non-criminal activities and may include escalating interpersonal disputes, grievances, concerning social media content, stalking and harassing, obsessions with violence, idolizing past attackers, fixating on people or locations, suicidal ideations, self-harm, unusual levels of aggression, threats, or other behaviors that elicit concerns for safety.

While agency policies establish the guiding principles and parameters of the behavioral threat assessment program (the “what”), standard operating procedures (SOPs) outline the stages of the BTAU’s daily operations (the “how”).

In this framework, the term bystander is used to describe an individual who observes threatening or concerning behavior in another person and is able to report that behavior to the appropriate public safety professionals.

Assessment is the process of collecting and analyzing information to understand threatening and concerning behavior in context.

Gather as much information as necessary to establish context for reported concerns • Determine whether the case should be closed or if the case warrants a full assessment

Gather all relevant information from all relevant sources • Comprehensively assess the risk posed by an individual • Identify strategies to mitigate risk

An inquiry is itself a form of assessment, though limited in scope.

The purpose of an inquiry is to gather as much information as necessary to establish context for the reported concerns, allowing the BTAU to determine the credibility of the report and whether the case should be closed or elevated for a full assessment.

The goal of a full assessment is to gather all relevant information from a range of sources in order to comprehensively assess the risk posed by an individual while also identifying potential strategies to mitigate that risk.

Community systems fall into two general categories: formal and informal.

Formal systems are structured organizations or groups that tend to maintain a physical location and records. Examples include judicial, law enforcement, employment, mental health, and education systems.

Informal systems represent the less structured environments with which an individual routinely interacts, including family, friends, neighbors, and other community groups.

Assessment Themes are not intended to be used as a checklist. The purpose of Assessment Themes is to provide a broad scope through which to understand an individual’s behavior and the context in which they are operating.

Significant setbacks, losses, and other life challenges that may be acute (e.g., romantic breakups) or chronic (e.g., ongoing medical conditions).

Family dynamics or home environments that negatively impact an individual, including family discord, abuse, drug use, criminality, domestic violence, mental/physical health concerns, death, and dissolution of relationships.

Current or previous history of mental health symptoms that negatively impact the individual, particularly when left untreated, including paranoia, delusions, hallucinations, depression, and suicidality.

A history of criminal behaviors identified in formal records, including arrests, convictions, and other legal actions. Criminal history may also include other criminal behavior and contacts with law enforcement and the courts that have not resulted in official legal actions.

A pattern of strained or conflicted relationships with family members, romantic partners, friends, coworkers, classmates, neighbors, or other members of the community. Interpersonal difficulties may include an inability to form or sustain positive relationships with others due to the individual’s inappropriate or concerning behaviors.

A pattern of engaging in criminal or inappropriate behavior for which the consequences were either absent or not commensurate with the behavior.

Any violent, threatening, or disturbing communications which may be conveyed verbally (e.g., in-person or via phone), in writing (e.g., journals or drawings), electronically (e.g., text messages or emails), online (e.g., websites, blogs, or social media), or by other means.

An unusual or excessive interest in weapons, violence, gore, prior attacks, notorious killers, or other concerning topics.

Prior acts of physical violence against people, animals, or property that may appear in criminal records or may be observed or experienced by others, including physical and sexual assaults, domestic/family violence, animal cruelty, aggressively menacing behaviors, or arsons.

A pattern of conduct that willfully and maliciously causes another to feel bullied, stalked, persecuted, threatened, injured, or attacked.

Extreme ideological, political, or conspiratorial beliefs that advocate hate or violence, form the basis of an individual’s worldview or significantly influence an individual’s daily life.

An intense or obsessive preoccupation with a person, event, activity, or belief to the point where it negatively impacts aspects of an individual’s life.

Changes in behavior observable to others, including notable shifts in mental, social, occupational, physical, or interpersonal functioning.

Feeling hopeless, despondent, desperate, or out of options.

A pattern of intense or escalating anger or aggression that is observed through the individual’s behavior, communication, or reported feelings.

Evidence of unusual inconsistencies in an individual’s communications and behaviors that may occur across the various community systems in their lives, including how they behave at work, home, school, or in social or romantic contexts.

Specific steps taken to prepare to carry out an act of violence, including researching, visiting, or following potential targets; researching, manufacturing, acquiring, or practicing with weapons; documenting preparations for an attack through hit lists, to-do lists, maps, or manifestos; researching prior attacks and tactics; developing attack plans; researching logistical concerns; or using deceptive practices to hide activities.

The reason(s) why the individual engaged in the behavior that elicited concern or brought them to the attention of law enforcement.

Motive also includes assessing the reasons that may drive an individual to carry out an act of violence.

Motives may be multifaceted and include retaliating for grievances or perceived wrongs (e.g., bullying, failed romantic relationships, or workplace issues); furthering ideological, bias-related, or political beliefs; acting in response to psychotic symptoms; having a desire to kill; achieving fame or notoriety; or committing suicide-by-cop.

The individual’s behaviors or communications have caused fear, alarm, worry, or distress in those who observed them.

Family members, friends, coworkers, neighbors, law enforcement, mental health professionals, and others may have been concerned about an individual’s demeanor, mental wellbeing, threatening or disturbing communications, harassing or other violent behavior, obsession with weapons or violent topics, isolating or withdrawing from others, substance use or abuse, or other concerning behaviors.

Current or future ability to access weapons that could be used to cause harm, including firearms, bladed weapons, explosives, chemicals, or poisons.

Access to weapons may include those that are readily available to the individual in their home, whether secured or unsecured, as well as those accessible in the homes of relatives or friends.

Contextual themes represent significant elements of an individual’s personal circumstances and surroundings which may negatively impact their thinking and behavior.

Summative themes represent key questions that must be answered as part of an overall assessment.

SPJs are instruments that can be used by trained personnel to measure the level of risk posed by an individual and may offer management considerations to reduce risk.

In behavioral threat assessment, management refers to the strategies and efforts pursued by a BTAU with the goal of reducing the likelihood of a violent outcome.

Voluntary storage: Voluntary out-of-home storage of firearms is an informal process that does not involve a court order. With this strategy, an individual agrees to temporarily store their firearm with a trusted family member, friend, or participating storage facility (e.g., gun retailer or police department) for safekeeping.

Another key component of program evaluation involves fidelity assessments, or evaluations to determine if the program is being implemented as intended.

Targeted violence: A premeditated act of violence directed at a specific individual, group, or location, regardless of motivation and generally unrelated to other criminal activity.

Behavioral threat assessment: A behavior-based approach to proactively prevent incidents of targeted violence.

Concerning behavior: Actions or communications by an individual that are troubling or inappropriate and indicate a potential risk of violence.

Concerning behaviors exist along a continuum of criminal and non-criminal activities and may include escalating interpersonal disputes, grievances, concerning social media content, stalking and harassing, obsessions with violence, idolizing past attackers, fixating on people or locations, suicidal ideations, self-harm, unusual levels of aggression, threats, and other behaviors that elicit concerns for safety.

Systems Approach: A process of gathering information from various formal and informal community systems in order to provide a comprehensive and reliable assessment of an individual’s thinking and behavior.

Assessment Themes: Areas of inquiry that, when explored, will provide a contextual understanding of an individual’s mindset, behavior, and circumstances and will allow the BTAU to assess if the individual poses a risk of violence.

Management: The strategies and efforts pursued by a BTAU with the goal of making a violent outcome less likely.