Informal systems represent the less structured environments with which an individual routinely interacts, including family, friends, neighbors, and other community groups.
Unlike formal systems, informal systems rarely maintain records about an individual and instead provide information most often through interviews.
Interviews with informal systems provide BTAUs with the perspective of those who have maintained close or frequent relationships with the individual, sometimes over many years.
Online activity represents another informal system from which to obtain information to guide a behavioral threat assessment.
BTAUs should have protocols in place for evaluating open-source online information, including publicly available social media and other publicly available information (e.g., posted pictures, videos, communications, or shared files).
If visible, social media content may provide insight into an individual’s behavior, mindset, interests, and activities, all of which are useful when assessing an individual’s risk of engaging in violence.
BTAUs should also establish protocols for information gathering using popular search engines, which can reveal things such as personal websites and instances when an individual appeared in media coverage.
Partner agencies and fusion centers may employ specialized analysts who can assist BTAUs in open-source information gathering.
When the Secret Service conducts a behavioral threat assessment, one of the earliest steps will involve an initial interview with the individual of concern.
For BTAUs, the initial interview provides an opportunity to engage with the individual, directly observe their behavior, and gain insight into their mindset while also beginning to identify factors that indicate whether the individual does or does not pose a risk of violence.
In addition to observing the individual’s general thinking and state of mind, the BTAU should prioritize open-ended questions regarding each of the Assessment Themes identified later in this section.
The initial interview is also an early opportunity to begin establishing rapport with the individual.
Because behavioral threat assessments are not the same as criminal investigations, the initial interview will often take place outside of police custody and only with the consent of the participating individual.
Rapport building is a key element in establishing a positive relationship that can help the individual being interviewed to feel at ease while sharing information.
In many cases, an individual of concern may be experiencing a personal crisis or other stressful event.
Being receptive to the individual’s needs will help establish a foundation of trust, which can then be used to help motivate changes in behavior.
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