Citation

Meloy JR, Pollard JW. J. Forensic Sci. 2017; 62(6): 1643-1646.

Affiliation

Criminology, Law and Society, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, American Society for Testing and Materials, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/1556-4029.13500

PMID

28397251

Abstract

In some recent cases of lone-actor terrorism, there is evidence the subject acted impulsively, often in response to a triggering event which contained a loss and humiliation. Evidence suggests the subjects acted precipitously, despite planning and preparation carried out in the preceding weeks or months, and their attacks failed to include the often considerable preparation that had been done. The pathway became a runway. The authors recommend the traditional assessment of impulsivity in persons of concern for lone acts of terrorism, as well as other proximal warning behaviors for targeted violence. Both indirect and direct assessment guidelines are proposed, with an emphasis upon self-report, psychological testing, collateral data gathering, and historical records.

© 2017 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Language: en

Keywords

forensic science; impulsivity; mass killing; terrorism; threat assessment; violence risk