CSC Threat Assessment in Legal Settings 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which behavioral indicator is most associated with 'hunter' behavior in targeted courthouse violence research?
- Loud verbal outbursts in waiting areas
- Surveillance and research of the target location prior to attack (Correct answer)
- Filing repeated frivolous motions
- Expressing anger to courthouse staff
Correct answer: Surveillance and research of the target location prior to attack
Hunters engage in pre-attack planning including location surveillance, distinguishing them from 'howlers' who threaten but rarely act.
Question 2: A litigant sends a letter to the courthouse stating 'You haven't seen the last of me.' This is best classified as:
- An explicit direct threat requiring immediate arrest
- An implicit threat warranting documented threat assessment follow-up (Correct answer)
- Protected First Amendment speech with no security relevance
- A warning sign only if accompanied by weapons
Correct answer: An implicit threat warranting documented threat assessment follow-up
Implicit threats lack specific intent language but still warrant documentation and threat assessment evaluation.
Question 3: In threat assessment, 'leakage' refers to:
- Unauthorized disclosure of case files
- Intentional or unintentional communication of intent before an attack (Correct answer)
- Surveillance footage shared outside the agency
- A breach in courthouse perimeter security
Correct answer: Intentional or unintentional communication of intent before an attack
Leakage occurs when a person reveals their intent through statements, writings, or behaviors before committing violence.
Question 4: When assessing a domestic violence subject who frequently appears at family court, which factor elevates risk the MOST?
- History of property destruction
- Recent loss of custody combined with history of strangulation (Correct answer)
- Filing appeals repeatedly
- Arguing loudly with an attorney
Correct answer: Recent loss of custody combined with history of strangulation
Strangulation is a significant lethality predictor, and combining it with acute loss (custody) elevates risk substantially.
Question 5: Which structured professional judgment tool is most commonly used for violence risk assessment in legal settings?
- PCL-R
- HCR-20 (Correct answer)
- MMPI-2
- CPI
Correct answer: HCR-20
The HCR-20 (Historical-Clinical-Risk Management-20) is a widely validated structured professional judgment guide for violence risk.
Question 6: A courthouse receives multiple phone calls from the same anonymous person expressing grievances about a judge. The MOST important next step is:
- Ignore the calls unless a weapon is mentioned
- Document, attempt caller ID trace, and open a threat assessment case file (Correct answer)
- Notify the judge but take no further action
- Issue a restraining order immediately
Correct answer: Document, attempt caller ID trace, and open a threat assessment case file
All credible repeated contacts should be documented, traced if possible, and evaluated through a formal threat assessment process.
Question 7: The concept of 'grievance collectors' in targeted violence research describes individuals who:
- File complaints with judicial oversight bodies
- Accumulate perceived wrongs over time and blame external parties for their problems (Correct answer)
- Work as legal advocates for civil rights
- Document court procedural errors for appeals
Correct answer: Accumulate perceived wrongs over time and blame external parties for their problems
Grievance collectors externalize blame, build resentment over time, and are a recognized risk typology in targeted violence.
CSC Threat Assessment in Legal Settings 2
Which behavioral indicator is most associated with 'hunter' behavior in targeted courthouse violence research?