SRO Threat Assessment & Prevention 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following best describes a 'leakage' behavior in threat assessment?
- A student avoids all social interaction for a week
- A student makes veiled or direct statements about plans to harm others (Correct answer)
- A student skips multiple classes without explanation
- A student displays declining academic performance
Correct answer: A student makes veiled or direct statements about plans to harm others
Leakage occurs when a potential attacker communicates intent — through writings, online posts, or statements — before carrying out violence.
Question 2: The Safe School Initiative found that in most targeted school attacks, the attacker:
- Was unknown to school staff prior to the attack
- Had no prior contact with school counselors
- Told someone about their plans before the attack (Correct answer)
- Acted entirely on impulse without any prior planning
Correct answer: Told someone about their plans before the attack
Research by the Secret Service found that in the majority of cases, attackers communicated their plans to at least one person beforehand.
Question 3: When prioritizing cases during threat assessment, which student warrants the MOST immediate intervention?
- A student who wrote a dark short story for English class
- A student who has a specific plan, access to weapons, and a stated timeline (Correct answer)
- A student who argues frequently with teachers
- A student who has declining grades and increased absences
Correct answer: A student who has a specific plan, access to weapons, and a stated timeline
A specific plan, access to means, and a timeline represent a high-level, imminent threat requiring immediate law enforcement and school response.
Question 4: In the CISA Targeted School Violence Prevention model, what does 'bystander reporting' primarily rely on?
- Surveillance cameras placed throughout the school
- Students, staff, and community members reporting concerns to trusted adults (Correct answer)
- SRO patrol schedules and visible law enforcement presence
- Mandatory psychological screening of all students
Correct answer: Students, staff, and community members reporting concerns to trusted adults
Bystander reporting depends on creating a culture where students and staff feel safe sharing concerns about peers with trusted adults or tip lines.
Question 5: Which factor is considered a 'pathway to violence' in threat assessment frameworks?
- Grievance, ideation, research/planning, preparation, probing, attack (Correct answer)
- Isolation, depression, substance abuse, truancy
- Bullying, academic failure, family conflict, peer rejection
- Verbal threats, written threats, physical altercations, weapon possession
Correct answer: Grievance, ideation, research/planning, preparation, probing, attack
The pathway to violence model (Calhoun & Weston) identifies the sequential stages an individual moves through from grievance toward a targeted attack.
Question 6: A student is found to have researched past school shootings extensively online. In threat assessment, this behavior is BEST categorized as:
- Normal curiosity following media coverage
- An indicator of planning and target identification (Correct answer)
- Evidence of a mental health crisis requiring hospitalization
- A First Amendment-protected research activity with no threat implications
Correct answer: An indicator of planning and target identification
Researching past attacks, attack methods, or attackers is a planning behavior that elevates concern and warrants thorough assessment.
Question 7: Which of the following represents a protective factor that can REDUCE the likelihood of targeted school violence?
- Student's prior discipline record
- Strong connections to prosocial peers and caring adults at school (Correct answer)
- High academic ability and test scores
- Participation in competitive sports
Correct answer: Strong connections to prosocial peers and caring adults at school
Connectedness to school, positive relationships with adults, and belonging to a prosocial peer group are key protective factors against targeted violence.
SRO Threat Assessment & Prevention 2
Which of the following best describes a 'leakage' behavior in threat assessment?