Conducting Threat Investigations in Schools Part I

Sun, 12 Feb 2006 17:36:51 -0800

Part I: Goal of the Investigation

When conducting an investigation about a threat of violence or potential threat of violence, obtaining as much truthful information as possible is the goal of your investigation. Good communication is your most important asset to reaching that goal.

Your communication skills (or lack of) will make or break your success in obtaining crucial information during a threat investigation. Your choice of words, use of body language and facial expressions all contain micro-messages that you send and will decide whether or not a child, student, victim, witness, suspect, or anyone else will open up and share vital information needed for the investigation.

When preparing for an investigation it is important to consider and understand some of the following motivators for a student not to divulge critical information:

Fear of retaliation
Fear itself
Fear of being labeled a "snitch"
Lack of trust for adult authority figures
Lack of belief that we will do anything
Belief that we will over-react

Law enforcement and educators all have strengths and weaknesses. Some people are very good at interviewing, others are not. Know which one you are and don't be afraid to ask for assistance.

Hone your skills at communication and practice them. If you're not that good of an interveiwer, find a colleague with better skills than you and then strategize for the next step.

A thorough assessment of potential violence can not be completed alone. Team process and collaboration is crucial.

Conducting Threat Investigations in Schools Part II

Sun, 26 Feb 2006 16:45:19 -0800

Part II: Strategize Before You Begin

When conducting an investigation on a potential threat of violence that recently occurred in your school it is important to take the time to strategize before you begin. Often administrators and police officers already have a full plate of work and are tempted to get the investigation done too quickly. Students are quickly questioned and the administrator and/or police officer "have done their job" and consequently write off the alleged threat prematurely. By not taking the time to strategize in advance, you not only risk losing credibility but even worse, you potentially made an incorrect assessment and have not allieviated the risks involved. Strategize before the investigation but don't strategize alone.

Strategizing with another member of your staff; a trusted colleague will better prepare you when conducting the actual investigation. Start by reviewing the scenario. Next, determine the following:

Who needs to be interviewed (victim, witness, suspect) and why
Who gets priority interviewing (in what order) and why
Who should do the interviewing and why
Where the interview should take place and why
How to conduct the interview (each person being interviewed needs new strategy)

    If there are differences of opinion on strategy, ask your colleague why he/she thinks differently than you do about a strategy. Be open to each other's reasoning and leave strong egos out of the decision making process. Check and re-check the strategy with your colleague. It's okay to change strategies.
Other helpful methods are discussing and considering "what if" scenarios as well; looking at the situation from multiple perspectives will help to develop the best strategy for the situation.

    How you start the investigation will determine the flow and mood till the end. As the interviewer you want to stay in a state of "collective control" throughout the entire investigation. If control is lost in part or in whole, it is very difficult to regain the proper direction needed for successful resolution. "Collective control" can be gained by knowing before you go into the interview, what you are doing and why you are doing it. Your demeanor, presence of mind, sound judgement and the ability to pick up subtle "micro-messages" are being watched. The student must trust you one hundred percent before they will share information with you.

    Remember your goal is to obtain as much truthful information as possible. The only way that will happen is if you communicate effectively. You will be more likely to communicate effectively if you know what your are doing and why you are doing it. Your school is relying on you to be thorough in your investigation and to keep them safe.

Comprehensive School and Workplace Safety, LLC - Threat Investigations

Conducting Threat Investigations in Schools Part I

Conducting Threat Investigations in Schools Part II