Targeted Violence Research Team

Mario J. Scalora, Ph.D.

Threat Assessment, Insider Threat & Counterterrorism Research

Threat assessment refers to the determination of risk posed by specific subjects toward specific targets.  The subjects that pose a threat may be individuals or groups, and their targets may be public figures or institutions. Threat assessment is one tool as part of counterterrorism activity that can be utilized across different levels of the public and private sectors. Counterterrorism refers to measures taken to prevent, deter, and respond to a terrorist act, or the documented threat of such an act. The team's research has focused upon various types of targeted violence directed toward governmental institutions and the infrastructure from individuals as well as terror and extremist groups. The team’s research attempts to improve upon prior research that conducted in this field by systematically appraising risk factors, examining both violent and non-violent cases, and including variables that are typically available to law enforcement.

Even prior to the tragic events of September 11, 2001, our research team was exploring the fact that public officials and institutions are at greater risk for unwanted attention from terrorist groups (foreign and domestic) as well as disgruntled citizens. 

My research team has analyzed security incidents involving state and federal government targets in order to identify characteristics that may predict problematic approach behavior (e.g., threatening or disruptive face-to-face contact) or potentially lethal contact.Our team has also examined the predictive role of symptoms suggestive of mental illness upon problematic approach behavior toward political officials and institutions, mirroring the general risk assessment literature. 

Campus Threat Assessment Program

In partnership with the University of Nebraska Police Department and the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, Dr. Scalora and his colleagues are engaged in extensive research, training, and consultation related to campus threat assessment and management. Threat mitigation and safety practices have come under increased scrutiny in the wake of high profile shootings and incidents on post-secondary campuses across the nation. Campus law enforcement and other institutional personnel (e.g., student affairs, human resources, building and grounds, mental health, etc) lead campus efforts to proactively address threats across a range of situations. These professionals routinely encounter threatening, suspicious, and hoax activities that require planned, thoughtful and decisive action.

Counterterrorism and Insider Threat Research

In collaboration with Dr. Denise Bulling (University of Nebraska Public Policy Center), Dr. Scalora co-managed a project developing behavioral science guidelines related to the detection of insider threats on behalf of the Department of Defense. An insider is defined as someone within an organization or with access to critical aspects of the organization. An insider can be an employee, contractor, consultant, or any person who has a relationship with or is in a position of trust within the organization. The insider may be someone acting alone or in collusion with others .Threats that are particularly concerning include sabotage, espionage, theft, politically motivated violence, terrorist acts, or general disruption to organizational infrastructure or security. Such threats may originate from inside or outside an organization. The actions that make up threats like sabotage, espionage, terrorist acts, or insider threats include a range of individual behaviors that are often referred to as behaviors of concern. The collaborators continue activity related to both the assessment and decision making related to insider threat.

Related counterterrorism research involving the Department of Defense involved a multimodal investigation with a diverse sample of source handlers to explore decision making in the process of source assessment. The professionals surveyed described balancing risk with potential gains when working with human sources. They make decisions in source operations by considering the interaction of source attributes, operational requirements, safety/security issues and situational factors. Continued analysis regarding source assessment decision making continues.

Representative publications in this area:

Scalora, M.J., Plank, G.L. & Shoeneman, K. A. (2009). The assessment of anonymous threats.  In M. St-Yves & M. Tanguay (Eds),  Psychology of Criminal Investigation: The research of the truth. Éditions Yvon Blais, Cowansville (Québec), Canada.

Scalora, M.J., Zimmerman, W., & Wells, D.G., (2008). Use of Threat Assessment for the Protection of Congress. In Meloy J.R., Sheridan L, Hoffmann J. (Eds).  Stalking, Threats, and Attacks Against Public Figures.  New York: Oxford Univ. Press. 

Schoeneman, K. A., Scalora, M. J., Chang, G. H., Zimmerman, W., Rogers, F., & Garner, Y. (2007). A comparison of email vs. letter threat contacts toward legislators. Journal of  Forensic Sciences, 52, 1142-1147.

Borum, R., Shumate, R. S., & Scalora, M.J. (2006). Psychology of “Leaking” Sensitive Information: Implications for Homeland Security. Homeland Security Review, 1, 97-112.

Scalora, M. J., Baumgartner, J. V., & Plank, G. L. (2003). The Relationship of Mental Illness to Targeted Contact Behavior Toward State Government Agencies and Officials. Behavioral Sciences and the Law, 21, 239-249. pdf version

Scalora, M.J., Baumgartner, J. V., Callaway, D., Zimmerman, W., Hatch-Maillette, M. A., Covell, C. N., Palarea, R. E., Krebs, J. A., & Washington, D. O. (2002). An epidemiological assessment of problematic contacts to members of Congress. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 47, 1360-1364. pdf version

Scalora, M.J., Baumgartner, J. V., Callaway, D., Zimmerman, W., Hatch-Maillette, M. A., Covell, C. N., Palarea, R. E., Krebs, J. A., & Washington, D. O. (2002). Risk factors for approach behavior toward the U.S. Congress. Journal of Threat Assessment, 2, 35-55. pdf version

Baumgartner, J.B., Scalora, M.J., & Plank, G.L. (2001). Case Characteristics of Threats Toward State Officials Investigated by a Midwestern State . Journal of Threat Assessment, 1, 41-60.