George Mason University
Psychology 461/892
Criminology, Law and Society 490/795
Behavioral Threat Assessment: Managing the Path to Violence
Spring 2016
Meets: Fridays 10:30am -1:10pm +10 minute break, ENT 274, 3 credits
Instructor:
Jeffrey W. Pollard, PhD, ABPP
2007 David King Hall
(703) 993-1365
pollard2@gmu.edu
Office Hours: By appointment and arranged through email please
Course Description:
Please note: This course deals with content that may be emotionally triggering. Please take care of yourselves
including feeling free to take a break at any time during class should you feel uncomfortable.
The course focus is on theory, research, and practice of Group Behavioral Threat Assessment (TA) as it is
practiced across a variety of settings. Theoretical topics include group decision-making, principles of
information gathering, profiling limitations, comparison with forensic psychological & clinical risk assessment.
Beginning with an overview of TA history and theory, the course will branch into to key concepts, techniques,
and threat assessment processes often employing fact patterns from actual cases. Presentations will include
visiting lecturers with experience with the United States Secret Service, Supreme Court Police Threat
Assessment Unit, United States Capitol Police, Virginia Tech Police Department, United States Department of
Education, Navy Criminal Investigation Service, etc. These expert practitioners will discuss TA as practiced in
their settings often using actual cases.
In-class discussions emphasizing theory, research, and application of TA principles based on current fact
patterns will be a held regularly. Students will become familiar with research, methods for ensuring fidelity, and
common errors in the TA process. Requirements include regular written brief thought reflections based on
readings, a research paper aimed at extending students’ understanding of a chosen aspect of TA, and an in-class
presentation and student-led discussion. The course is not designed to create threat assessment experts, however
it will equip students to effectively add to group threat assessment discussions.
Course Structure and Requirements:
The course is composed of lectures, in-class discussions, visiting professionals’ descriptions, written thought
reflections, a writing project with student-led discussions, and discussion of contemporaneous incidents
designed to demonstrate and aid in learning the practice of group-based threat assessment. Readings including
volumes, journal articles on threat assessment, electronic materials, and timely media.
Grading:


Thought reflections, class attendance, and participation – 40%
Final paper – literature review (undergrad - 8-10 pp. APA Style), research paper (graduate – 15-20
pp. APA Style) – 35%. The paper should reflect considerable depth of understanding and reading on
the author’s chosen topic. Note: paper topics will be submitted/reviewed prior to assignment and
completed papers are due one week prior to scheduled presentation.

20 minute presentation based on Final paper – 25%. Your presentation should be brief, concise and
illuminate the salient points of your paper. We will not have time for extended presentations.
Successfully presenting within the time allotted is part of the grade.
Final grades will be determined using this scale:
A+ 98-100
A
93-97
B
83-86
B- 80-82
C+ 77-79
C-
70-72
D
F
60-69
A-
90-92
B+
87-89
C
73-76
0-59
Texts:
Deisinger, G., Randazzo, M., O’Neill, D. & Savage, J.
(2009), The Handbook for Campus Threat Assessment
& Management Teams,
1st Edition,
ISBN-10: 0615234933
ISBN-13: 978-0615234939
Applied Risk
Management
Houston, P., Floyd, M., Carnicero, S. & Tenant, D. (2013). Spy the Lie: Former CIA Officers Teach You How
to Detect Deception. New York: St. Martin’s Press. ISBN: 978-1250005854
Meloy, J.R., Hoffman, J., Eds. (2013), International Handbook of Threat Assessment, 1st Edition
ISBN-10: 0199924554, ISBN-13: 978-0199924554, Oxford University Press
Schedule: Note: Due to presenters’ responsibilities the following calendar is subject to change. Additional
readings may be assigned.
1/22/15 –
Introductions, syllabus, paper topics, class participation, and presentations
1/29/15 –
Det. Bill Zimmerman US Capital Police, ret. – history of threat assessment, Meloy & Hoffman,
chap 1
2/5/15
–
Dr. Marisa Randazzo, former Chief Research Psychologist, USSS – presidential threateners,
Meloy & Hoffman chap 10, http://www.secretservice.gov/ntac/ntac_jfs.pdf
2/12/15 –
Targeted vs. emotional violence, principles of threat assessment + Kristina Anderson – VA Tech
shooting survivor – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGBq92s51SY
2/19/15 –
Campus-based threat assessment, Meloy & Hoffman, chap 7, Deisinger & Randazzo
2/26/15 –
Dr. Gene Deisinger, former Asst. Chief of Police, VA Tech - Application of Psychology to
Threat Assessment & Management
3/4/15
–
Ms. Dorian Van Horn, former NCIS Division Chief, Threat Management Unit – Lauterbach
Case, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Maria_Lauterbach, Meloy & Hoffman, chaps. 10
& 26.
3/ 11/15 –
Spring Break
3/18/15 –
Mr. William Modzeleski, (tent.) former Associate Assistant Deputy Secretary, U.S. DOE, Office
of Safe and Drug Free Schools – Safe School Initiative – USSS/ DOE TA Manual,
http://www.secretservice.gov/ntac/ssi_guide.pdf
3/25/15 –
Mr. Peter Romery (tent.) General Counsel and Partner, QVerity – deception detection, Spy the
Lie
4/1/15 –
Ms. Krista Giaccio, Inspector, Supreme Court of the United, Police Department,
Communicated threats, Meloy & Hoffman, chap. 12
4/8/15 –
Mr. Joe Samaha – VA Tech Family, Virginia Tech
4/15/15 –
Stalking, chap. 10, Meloy & Hoffman, 4, Meloy, J. R. (2002)
http://www.cdar.uky.edu/CoerciveControl/
4/22/16 –
student presentations
–
student presentations
4/29/16
4/4-11/16
– Exam (TBA)– student presentations
(NOTE: The schedule is subject to change as there are a multitude of professional schedules and demands that
have been made to accommodate the class. Please remain flexible as to these assignments.)
Research papers topics:
You are encouraged to submit your interests for the course research paper early. The following are some
suggested topics. Instructor sign-off is required for all final topics selected.
Mental Health and Violence
Violence in Same Sex Couples
Individual difference and targeted violence
Violence and Psychotropic Medication
Violence and Alcohol and Illegal Drugs
Danger from Patients to Mental Health Providers
Group Decision-Making Compared to Individual Decision-Making
Comparison of Two or More Threat Assessment Approaches
Case fact pattern analysis (evaluate a single case in-depth – this can be a current case or and old case)
Any guest presentation subject
Important Dates:
Drop/Add: The last day to add the course is Tuesday 1/26/16. Last day to drop with 33% financial penalty is
Tuesday 2/2/14, and the final drop deadline with a 67% penalty is Tuesday 2/19/14. The full university calendar
is available here: https://registrar.gmu.edu/calendars/spring-2016/
Students with a Disability:
If you are a student with a disability and you need academic accommodations, please see Dr. Pollard and
contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) at 703-993-2474. All academic accommodations must be
arranged through that office.
Honor Code:
All aspects of this course are strictly bound by the George Mason University Honor Code: “Student members
of the George Mason University community pledge not to cheat, plagiarize, steal, or lie in matters related to
academic work.” Students who engage in academic dishonesty, inadvertently or not, will be reported directly to
the Honor Committee. http://oai.gmu.edu/the-mason-honor-code-2/
Useful On-Campus Resources:


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
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Writing Center: A114 Robinson Hall; (703) 993-1200; http://writingcenter.gmu.edu
University Libraries: “Ask a Librarian” http://library.gmu.edu/mudge/IM/IMRef.html
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): (703) 993-2380; http://caps.gmu.edu
University Policies: The University Catalog, http://catalog.gmu.edu, is the central resource for university
policies affecting student, faculty, and staff conduct in university affairs.
Campus Assessment Intervention Team: http://osscm.gmu.edu/campus-assessment-and-intervention-team/
General Resources in Threat Assessment:
Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (2006). Risk assessment guideline elements for violence:
Considerations for assessing the risk of future violent behavior. Los Angeles: authors
Brems, C., & Johnson, M.E. (2009). Self care in the context of threats of violence or self-harm from clients. In
E. R. Welfel & J. Worth (Eds.), The duty to protect: Ethical, legal, and professional considerations in risk
assessment and intervention. (pp. 211-228).Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Borum, Fein, Vossekuil, & Berglund (1999). Threat assessment: Defining an approach for evaluating risk of
targeted violence. Behavioral Sciences & the Law, 17, 323-337.
Braverman, M. (1999). Preventing Workplace Violence: a guide for employers and practitioners. London: Sage.
Calhoun, F. & Weston, S. (June 2006). Protecting judicial officials: Implementing an effective threat
management process. Bureau of Justice Assistance Bulletin, 1-8. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice,
Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance.
Calhoun, F.S., Weston, S.W., (2013), Concepts and Case Studies in Threat Management,1st Edition,
ISBN10: 1439892172
ISBN-13: 978-1439892176
CRC
Press
Corcoran, M.H. & Cawood, J.S. (2003). Violence assessment and intervention: The practitioner’s handbook.
New York: CRC.
DeBecker, G. (1997). The Gift of Fear and Other Survival Signals That Protect Us From Violence. New York:
Dell.
Delworth, U. (1989). Dealing With the Behavioral and Psychological Problems of Students. New Directions for
Student Services, no. 45. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Dunkle, J., Silverstein, Z. & Warner, S. (2008). Managing violent and other troubling students: The role of
threat assessment on campus. Journal of College and University Law, 34(3), 585-636.
Fein, R. & Vossekuil, B. (1998). Protective intelligence and threat assessment investigations: A guide for state
and local law enforcement officials. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs,
National Institute of Justice.
Fein, R., Vossekuil, B. & Holden, G. (September, 1995). Threat assessment: An approach to prevent targeted
violence. Research in Action, 1-7. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs,
National Institute of Justice. Journal of Forensic Sciences, American Academy of Forensic Sciences.
Fein, R. & Vossekuil, B. (1999). Assassination in the United States: An operational study of recent
assassination, attackers, and near lethal approachers.
Fein, R., Vossekuil, B., Pollack, W., Borum, R., Modzeleski, W., & Reddy (Randazzo), M. (2002). Threat
assessment in schools: A guide to managing threatening situations and to creating safe school climates.
Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Secret Service.
Flannery, R.B. (1995). Violence in the workplace. New York: Crossroad.
Gallagher, R. (2007). National Survey of Counseling Center Directors 2007. Alexandria, VA: International
Association of Counseling Services, Inc.
Gladwell, M., (2008). Outliers: the story of success. New York: Little, Brown and Company.
Gosling, S. (2009). Snoop: What your stuff says about you. New York, NY: Basic Books
Hoffman, A.M., Schuh, J.H., & Fenske, R.H. (Eds.). (1998). Violence on campus: Defining the problems,
Strategies for Action. Gaithersburg, MD: Aspen.
International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA). (1993). Handling
institutional violence on campus. Hartford, CT: IACLEA.
IACLEA (1996). Handling violence in the workplace. Hartford, CT: IACLEA.
IACLEA (2008). Overview of the Virginia Tech tragedy and implications for campus safety: The IACLEA
Blueprint for safer campuses. West Hartford, CT: IACLEA.
Jaeger, L., Deisinger, E., Houghton, D., & Cychosz, C. (1993). A coordinated response to critical incidents.
Ames, IA: Iowa State University.
Jed Foundation (2008). Student mental health and the law: A resource for institutions of higher education. New
York, NY: The Jed Foundation.
Kahneman, D., (2011), Thinking, Fast and Slow, Macmillian, New York.
Kolker, Robert, 2015, A Dangerous Mind, New York Magazine http://nymag.com/news/features/cannibal-cop2014-1/ also HBO - Thought Crimes: The case of the cannibal cop, 2015, Gilberto Valle
Krouse, W.J., Richardson, D.J., (2015), Mass Murder with Firearms: Incidents and Victims, 1999-2013,
Congressional Research Service, 7-5700, www.crs.gov, R44126. Downloaded 8/6/15:
http://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R44126.pdf
Lake, P. F. (June 2007). Higher education called to account: Colleges and the law after Virginia Tech.
Chronicle of Higher Education, 53(43), B6.
Lazenby, R. (Ed.). (2007). April 16: Virginia Tech Remembers. New York: Plume.
Lavergne, G. (1997). A Sniper in the Tower: The Charles Whitman Murders. Denton, TX: University of North
Texas Press.
Leavitt, M., Spellings, M., & Gonzalez, A. (2007). Report to the President on issues raised by the Virginia Tech
tragedy. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Education, and
U.S. Department of Justice.
Meloy, J. R. (2002). Stalking, threatening, and harassing behavior by patients – The risk management response.
Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry & Law, 30, 230–231.
Meloy, J.R. (2000). Violence risk and threat assessment. San Diego, CA: Specialized Training Services.
Mohandie, K. (2000). School violence threat management: A practical guide for educators, law enforcement,
and mental health professionals. San Diego, CA: Specialized Training Services.
Monahan, J. (1995). The clinical prediction of violent behavior. London: J. Aronson.
Monahan, J., Steadman, H.J., Silver, E., & Applebaum, P.S. (2001). Rethinking risk assessment: The
MacArthur study of mental disorder and violence. New York: Oxford.
National Association of Attorneys General (2007). NAAG task force on school and campus safety: Report and
recommendations. Washington, DC: National Association of Attorneys General.
Pollack, W., Modzeleski, W., and Rooney, G., (2008) Prior Knowledge of Potential School-Based Violence:
Information students learn may prevent a targeted attack. United States Secret Service and the United States
Department of Education. Washington, DC.
Pollard, J.W., Flynn, C., & Eells, G. (2015). The Role of Threat Assessment and Management in College
Counseling Centers: How’s that net working? The Journal of College Student Psychotherapy.
Pollard, J.W., Noland, J.J., Deisinger, E.R., (2012) The Practice of Campus-Based Threat Assessment: An
Overview, Journal of College Student Psychotherapy, 26(4) 263-276, Taylor & Francis, New York, NY.
Pollard, J.W., (1994). Treatment for perpetrators of rape and other violence. In Berkowitz, A. (Ed.), New
Directions in Student Affairs, Men and Rape: Theory, Research, and Prevention programs in higher
education, No. 65, New York: Jossey Bass.
Pollard, J.W., & Whitaker, L.C., (1993). Cures for campus violence, if we want them. In Whitaker, L.C.,
& Pollard, J.W. (Eds.), Campus Violence: Kinds, Causes, and Cures. New York: Haworth Press.
Quinsey, V.L., Harris, G.T., Rice, M.E. & Cormier, C.A. (1998). Violent offenders: Appraising and managing
risk. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Randazzo, M., Borum, R., Vossekuil, B., Fein, R., Modzeleski, W., & Pollack, W. (2006). Threat assessment in
schools: Empirical support and comparison with other approaches. In S.R. Jimerson and M.J. Furlong (Eds.),
The handbook of school violence and school safety: From research to practice. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence
Erlbaum Associates, Inc.
Reddy (Randazzo), M., Borum, R., Vossekuil, B., Fein, R., Berglund, J., & Modzeleski, W., (2001). Evaluating
risk for targeted violence in schools: Comparing risk assessment, threat assessment, and other approaches.
Psychology in the Schools, 38, pp. 157-172.
Ripley, A. (2009). The unthinkable: Who survives when disaster strikes—and why. New York, NY: Three
Rivers Press.
Turner, J. & Gelles, M. (2003), Threat assessment: A risk management approach. Binghamton, NY: Haworth
Press.
United States Department of Education (October 2007). Balancing student privacy rights and school safety: A
guide to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act for colleges and universities. Washington, DC: U.S.
Department of Education.
United States Postal Service Threat Assessment Team Task Force (1997). Threat assessment team guide.
Washington, DC: U.S. Postal Service
Virginia Tech Review Panel (2007). Mass shootings at Virginia Tech, April 16, 2007: Report of the Review
Panel presented to Governor Kaine, Commonwealth of Virginia. Richmond, VA: Authors.
Vossekuil, B., Fein, R., Reddy (Randazzo), M., Borum, R., & Modzeleski, W. (2002). The final report and
findings of the Safe School Initiative: Implications for the prevention of school attacks in the United States.
Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Secret Service.
On-Line Resources
American Psychological Association – gun violence http://www.apa.org/pubs/info/reports/gun-violenceprevention.aspx
Association of Threat Assessment Professionals: http://www.atapworldwide.org/
Collective Intelligence: http://wikiworld.com/wiki/index.php/CollectiveIntelligence
Criminality and Targeted Violence Research: http://forensis.org/published.html
Dorner , Christopher, LA Times –http://graphics.latimes.com/christopher-dorner-manhunt/#chapter-one
Delaware Technical & Community College (2008). Behavioral intervention and threat assessment,
http://www.dtcc.edu/stanton/safety/threat_assessment_policy.pdf
Group Decision Making: http://www.intuitor.com/statistics/SmallGroups.html
Johnson, M., relevant research on corrections and violence:
http://pacificu.reachlocal.net/spp/faculty/MarkE.Johnson.cfm
Mother Jones – mass shootings http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/07/mass-shootings-map
Nolan, J., Randazzo., & Deisinger, G., (2010), Campus Threat Assessment and Management Teams: what risk
managers need to know now. University Risk Management and Insurance Association Journal
http://www.sigmatma.com/images/NolanRandazzoDeisinger_CampusThreatAssessmentTeams_FINAL_20110
802.pdf
Pavela, G., The Pavela Report. Available: http://collegepubs.com/the_pavela_report.
Report on the Virginia Tech Review Panel to the Governor of Virginia:
http://www.governor.virginia.gov/tempcontent/techpanelreport.cfm
Randazzo, M., Plummer E., (2009), Implementing Behavioral Threat Assessment on Campus: a Virginia Tech
demonstration Project. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
http://www.threatassessment.vt.edu/Implementing_Behavioral_Threat_Assessment.pdf
Sluss, M. (2008, April 9). Governor signs Virginia Tech-inspired mental health reform bills. The Roanoke
Times, http://www.roanoke.com/news/breaking/wb/157560, retrieved April 25, 2008.
USA Today – mass killing data http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/12/03/fbi-mass-killing-datainaccurate/3666953/
Prior Knowledge of Potential School-Based Violence: Information Students Learned May Prevent A Targeted
Attack. http://www.secretservice.gov/ntac/bystander_study.pdf
PBS Newtown Series: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/after-newtown/
United States Secret Service, National Threat Assessment Center: http://www.secretservice.gov/ntac.shtml
Wong, J., Cho copycat murders: http://www.lettersofnote.com/2009/10/i-am-jiverly-wong-shooting-people.html
Some On-line Articles of Interest re. the Gun Control Debate:
http://www.nationalreview.com/article/427967/san-bernardino-shooting-guns-homicide-statistics
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4318286/
http://www.factcheck.org/2013/02/did-the-1994-assault-weapons-ban-work/
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/14/sunday-review/the-assault-weapon-myth.html?_r=0
http://liberalguns.blogspot.com/2013/01/how-many-people-are-killed-by-assault.html
http://thefederalist.com/2014/11/11/knives-kill-more-people-each-year-than-rifles-time-for-knife-control/
https://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/mass-victimization-promising-avenues-for-prevention
http://www.pbs.org/program/path-to-violence/
http://www.nationalregister.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Gun-Violence-and-the-Psychological-Responseto-Mass-Violence-A-Brief-Sourcebook-for-Psychologists1.pdf