The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) Team uses a systematic process to assess and investigate concerning behaviors to identify threats and prevent targeted violence. This proactive process then identifies appropriate interventions, resources and support systems to manage the risk of harm.

BCA BTAM process

Our approach is holistic, addressing both ideological and non-ideological forms of targeted violence. It embraces a three-step public health framework, ranging from primary prevention at the community resiliency level to secondary and tertiary measures emphasizing preventative initiatives before an individual engages (secondary) or re-engages (tertiary) in targeted violence. BTAM is most effective when conducted by a multidisciplinary team of professionals that may include school administrators, behavioral health and social service providers, community partners, faith leaders, medical personnel, public safety professionals and other partners.

Defining targeted violence

Targeted violence is a deliberate act of violence directed at a specific person, group, or location(s) regardless of motivation, that violates criminal laws of the United States or the state of Minnesota. Targets are often selected to achieve specific motives, such as resolving a grievance or making a political or ideological statement.

Threatening or concerning behavior

While there is no specific profile for people who perpetrate acts of targeted violence, there are threatening or concerning behaviors that are common across a wide variety of completed and averted acts of targeted violence. No single threatening or concerning behavior signals an attack.

Pathway to Violence

The Pathway to Violence is a model of warning signs that generally depicts how and why targeted violence occurs. A potential attacker's warning signs can appear anywhere along the Pathway to Violence and can skip steps or move in either direction. It is critically important to prevent the attack by notifying appropriate authorities.