Threat Assessment Process

  • How does Threat Assessment work?

    The Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG) follows three basic steps:

    1. Reporting and Identifying Threats
    2. Assessing and Classifying Threats
    3. Responding to and Managing Threats

    CSTAG assists in determining response and interventions

    • Initial response
    • Screening
    • In-depth assessment
    • Intervention: the team initiates assistance to address the underlying problem, conflict or need. In the most serious cases, protective action is taken
    • Follow up: to assess intervention results

    CSTAG ensures

    • Timely response
    • Safety
    • Efficient use of resources
Threat Assessment Procedure

  • Threat Type

    Slide by Dewey Cornell, Ph.D. 

     

  •  Transient Threat

     Serious Substantive Threat

     Very Serious Substantive Threat

     

    • Often are rhetorical remarks, not genuine expressions of intent to harm
    • At worst, express temporary feelings of anger or frustration
    • Usually can be resolved on the scene or in the office
    • After resolution, the threat no longer exists
    • Usually end with an apology or clarification
    • Express intent to physically injure someone beyond the immediate situation
    • There is at least some risk the student will carry out the threat
    • When in doubt, treat threats as substantial
    • Threat to kill, rape, shoot, or injure with a weapon