The Role of Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management Teams

Research on completed incidents of targeted violence indicates that early intervention may have been possible. Individuals who commit targeted violence often displayed behaviors prior to those attacks that could serve as warning signs and points of intervention. Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) is a fact-based, systematic process designed to identify, assess, and manage potentially dangerous or violent situations. BTAM aims to prevent violence by intervening before an attack. It does so through the work of a behavioral threat assessment and management team.  

The team is involved in assessment of potentially violent situations. They do so by gathering and reviewing information about a person’s communications and behavior, and making determinations about their intention, capacity, and willingness to commit violence. This can involve reviewing social media and interviewing the person or those who know them. The team consists of persons from multiple disciplines who are experienced in working together and have been appropriately trained. Importantly, the team tries to help connect persons to services, including mental health care if indicated, to help the person move away from the intent to commit violence. 

The State of Illinois requires behavioral threat assessment teams in all K-12 schools, and they can also be found in higher education, workplaces and businesses, houses of worship and healthcare.  

Western Illinois University provides training for school-based threat assessment teams in Illinois through the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board Executive Institute. Their website contains many helpful resources that may be useful for your organization or community.   

Some of you may know of or be on a team in your organization or community.  Others may be interested in organizing or being on a team. As frontline practitioners, it’s important to know the resources in your community and how to reach them.