Hendricks County
Lethality Assessment Program (LAP)
for Law Enforcement Officers
Updated 3/14
What is the LAP?
 LAP is used by law enforcement officers to identify high
risk domestic violence victims.
 It is an 11-question lethality screening tool and referral
protocol.
 The goal of the LAP is to prevent domestic violence
homicides, serious injury, and re-assault by encouraging
more victims to use the shelter, counseling, advocacy, and
support services of domestic violence programs.
Who is Utilizing LAP
 All Hendricks County Law Enforcement Agencies began
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using the program in 2010
Hendricks Regional Health and IU West in 2013
Several Family Support Programs in Hendricks County
Indiana: Allen, Grant and Wabash Counties and the
Bloomington Police Department
Nationally: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota,
Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Oregon
and Vermont
Why Use Lethality Assessments?
 1,300 DV fatalities a year in United States
 Police previously on scene in 50% of domestic violence
homicides
 Only 4% of domestic violence homicide victims had
ever availed themselves of DV services
 Re-assault dropped by 60% when victims went into
shelter
 Studies have proven that the support services of
domestic violence programs can save lives and reduce
re-assault.
Outcomes
19% of domestic violence victims identified in Indiana
by the LAP as high risk went in for support services.
None have been killed or seriously injured.
Hendricks County LAP
Year
Screens
conducted
by LE
High Danger
Screens
Non-High
Danger
Screens
Victims who
spoke with
advocate
2013
101
94
2
2012
83
67
2011
50
2010
93
Victims
Sheltered
62
Victims
who used
outreach
services
8
16
51
6
5
43
7
40
9
4
82
11
78
20
9
4
Step 1
When to Initiate Lethality Screen
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Only in Cases of Intimate Relationship….
When you believe there’s been an assault or acts of
domestic violence, with or without arrest,
When you believe the victim faces danger once you
leave,
When the home or parties are repeats,
When your gut tells you the situation is dangerous, or
Anytime there is an arrest, even with a “low danger”
screen.
Men and Women Victims
 Men can be victims of domestic violence. Complete
Lethality Assessment and follow protocol on men as well
as women.
 Please complete the Lethality Assessment on men and
women in same-sex relationships, if you believe
domestic violence is occurring in the relationship.
 On cases you believe are “mutual combat,” please screen
the true victim.
Domestic Violence Crimes
Complete the Lethality Assessment on all crime where
domestic violence has occurred, even if an arrest is not
made. This could include, if an intimate relationship is
involved:
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Battery
Domestic battery
Strangulation
Aggravated battery
Attempted murder
Aggressive Driving
Criminal recklessness
Pointing a firearm
Disorderly conduct
Invasion of privacy
Trespass
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Rape
Criminal deviate conduct
Sexual battery
Child molesting
Residential entry
Burglary
Intimidation
Harassment
Stalking
Criminal confinement
Violation of a custody order
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Sexual misconduct with a minor
Child exploitation
Promoting prostitution
Vicarious sexual gratification
Child seduction
Incest
Neglect of dependent
Nonsupport of dependent child
Nonsupport of spouse
Nonsupport of parent
Exploitation of dependent adult
Step 2
Initiating the Screen

Approach the Lethality Screen simply and positively with the
victim. Advise victim that you would like to ask her/him some
questions to get a better idea of her/his situation.

Complete Domestic Violence Supplemental Side A – Lethality
Assessment. ALL DV Cases – not just Domestic Battery

If victim declines to answer any of the questions, encourage
him/her once to do so. If he/she still refuses, please have
victim sign the LAP form and send it to the prosecutor as
“refused.”

Ask all the questions in order.
 Mark boxes according to victim’s response.
The 11-Questions
Ask the following 11 questions privately to the victim:
1. Has he/she ever used a weapon against you or threatened you with a weapon?
2. Has he/she threatened to kill you or your children?
3. Do you think he/she might try to kill you?
4. Does he/she have a gun or easy access to a gun?
5. Has he/she ever tried to choke you?
6. Is he/she violently or constantly jealous or controls most of your daily activities?
7. Have you left him/her or separated after living together or being married?
8. Is he/she unemployed?
9. Has he/she ever tried to kill himself/herself?
10. Do you have a child that he/she knows is not his/hers?
11. Does he/she follow or spy on you or leave threatening messages?
High Danger - Any “Yes” response to questions 1 – 3, contact with the crisis
hotline and follow protocol.
High Danger - If the victim answers “no” to questions 1-3, but answers “yes” to at
least four of questions 4-11, please contact the crisis hotline and follow protocol.
Low Danger - Less than 4 “yes” responses to the questions 4-11. Follow protocol.
IF AN ARREST IS MADE, IT IS AN AUTOMATIC “HIGH” SCREEN. CALL HOTLINE!
HOTLINE: 317-745-1496
High Danger and/or Arrest
 Advise victim she/he is in danger, that people in this situation have been
killed.
 Tell victim you will call hotline to get information to help and you would like for
her/him to consider speaking with hotline, even if initially refuses.
 Call hotline: 317-745-1496 (Use land line and delete number after call or
use your cell phone)
 Provide basic incident information and positive Lethality Screen items to
hotline advocate.
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Put victim on phone and stand-by. If victim refuses, please encourage.
When victim finishes, conclude call by speaking with hotline.
Provide assistance with safety plans and transportation if necessary.
Give victim domestic violence resource card. If arrest is made, give Victim
Right’s and Victim Notification.
 Please submit Section A (Lethality Assessment) with the rest of your charges
and Section B to the prosecutor. ALL DV charges use Supplemental.
Low Danger and No Arrest
 Low Danger screens can be elevated to high danger
at your discretion if you believe a call to the hotline is
necessary or an arrest has occurred.
 Advise victim of screen results.
 Give victim resource card.
 Please submit Section A (Lethality Assessment) to
the prosecutor, even without charges.
Domestic Violence Program’s Role
 Provide 24-hour crisis hotline.
 Speak with law enforcement when they call with High Risk
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screen.
Conduct safety planning with victim and/or officer
Serve as the advocate voice in a time of crisis. (i.e., what do
you need or want versus, this is what you have to/should do)
Providing follow-up services such as education on dynamics
and protective orders
Data Collection
Prosecutor’s Role
 The LAP is part of the Domestic Violence
Supplemental Packet that should be complete on all
DV crimes, not just Domestic Battery. It is Section A.
 Please submit Section A (Lethality Assessment) with
the rest of your charges and Section B to the
prosecutor.
 If an arrest is not made, but a screen has been
completed, still submit Section A (Lethality
Assessment) to the prosecutor.
Does LAP have Other Benefits?
 It is an educational tool for victims and screeners to
understand and recognize the potential for danger.
 It empowers victims to take positive action to protect
themselves
 It provides safety planning, information and resources.
 It improves the relationship between victims and law
enforcement.
Quotable LAP Call - February 2013
“Tonight, I received a LAP call from Plainfield Police, Officer
Pigman, where a client did NOT screen in but Officer Pigman
felt he should still call us. At first the victim refused to speak
with me, however, I heard Officer Pigman gently explain to the
victim who we are and he encouraged her to speak with us. She
did… The abuser was arrested and she is safe tonight. We
appreciate all you do and please be encouraged this officer
made the call – not because he was required – but because he
felt it was the right thing.”
Lori Wood – Case Manager Sheltering Wings
Key Points to Remember
 Only for intimate partner relationships – male or female
 Ask all 11 questions
 Call the crisis line on any high screen, even if the victim
does not wish to speak with an advocate.
 Call crisis line whenever an arrest is made.
 Detailed report with photographs
 Submit LAP assessment (high, low or refused) to
Prosecutor’s Office even when arrests are not made.
 Complete DV Supplemental on all DV cases.
Thank You!
 Please know that even if a victim doesn't choose
to go in for services at the time of the screening,
you have empowered the victim by providing
more information about the situation and
resources that can provide support when the time
is right for the victim to access them.
 The extra effort and work you put into this
program is greatly appreciated!
Resources
 Hendricks County Coalition Against Domestic Violence
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Julie Randall
www.hccadv.org
julie.randall@hccadv.org
Sheltering Wings and Hotline
Linda Wells
317-745-1496
www.shelteringwings.org
LAP Annual Reports can be found at www.hccadv.org
LAP forms are at www.hccadv.org.
Contact Julie Randall at julie.randall@hccadv.org for LAP forms for
your department.