FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit-1

The Behavioral Analysis Unit-1 (BAU-1) is one of four operational BAU units in the FBI’s Critical Incident Response Group.

BAU-1 provides behaviorally-based investigative and operational support to complex and time-sensitive crimes and other significant matters involving acts or threats of violence, including terrorism, threats, arson, bombings, stalking, and anticipated or active crisis situations.

Within BAU-1, the Behavioral Threat Assessment Center uses threat assessment and threat management principles to prevent terrorism and mass casualty targeted violence by assessing the threat posed by a person of concern and providing investigators with suggestions to mitigate that threat.

The FBI’s BAU-1 distinguishes between types of targeted violence by categorizing acts that involve planning and preparation separately from those that arise impulsively based on an emotional response to situational circumstances.

Research conducted by BAU-1 on targeted violence and terrorism reveals that approximately 25% of offenders who engage in targeted violence—whether driven by ideological motives or not—have a diagnosable mental illness.

BAU-1’s research has not established a causal link between mental illness and acts of targeted violence or terrorism.