BeTA Information Referral
The BeTA Unit is intended to serve North Carolina law enforcement by assisting in the evaluation of persons of concern through an evidence-based threat assessment process. This process is intended to determine if a person of concern is exhibiting behaviors consistent with the pathway to violence and identify appropriate management and mitigation recommendations for the individual. Threat assessment is a behaviorally-driven model and the factors considered during a BeTA Unit threat assessment case correspond with practice standards regarding specific behavioral indicators that are related to the pathway to violence (Association of Threat Assessment Professionals; ATAP, 2006). All information gathered during the BeTA Unit threat assessment process is analyzed by a multi-disciplinary team to determine level of threat concern and to develop potential mitigation strategies. The BeTA Unit provides trained personnel to work in conjunction with a requesting law enforcement agency throughout the assessment process.  

For all referrals that become BeTA investigations, the requesting law enforcement agency must assign a law enforcement officer to work with the BeTA Unit during the entire course of the investigation.  The requesting law enforcement partner will be responsible for conducting interviews of the subject and witnesses with the BeTA Agent, obtaining pertinent records and other background/collateral materials, attending meetings of the BeTA Unit to discuss the case, and to actively participate in developing and implementing a management plan.  Please provide as much information as possible below in order for the BeTA Unit to review your referral:

 (Behavioral Threat Assessment - Initial Documentation (BETA-ID)


Instructions for completion:  Blue labels indicate required fields.  Green labels indicate additional required fields based on other responses.  Please answer all questions and, if prompted,  provide the behavioral evidence gathered, the context, or any additional information that would be helpful to effectively discuss the case, triage for further threat investigation by the BeTA team, develop appropriate threat management strategies, and effectively review the referral for potential next steps (consultation, information development, investigative support, referral, triage, threat assessment, mitigation or other assistance).
 
SUBJECT'S INFORMATION  
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Is the subject a minor:
LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER'S INFORMATION  
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CONCERNING COMMUNICATIONS
Has the subject made a threat directly to an identifiable person(s):


Has the subject verbalized thoughts about harming other(s)to a 3rd party:


Has the subject written thoughts about harming other(s)(e.g., journal, story, class assignment) to a 3rd party:


Has the subject communicated thoughts about harming other(s) via electronic communications (e.g., social media, internet posting):


Has the subject expressed via art, music, or other nonverbal/nonwritten method thoughts about harming others:


Other method of communication:


  
 
 
HISTORY OF CONCERNING COMMUNICATION(S)
Is there behavioral evidence, that occurred more than 6 months prior to this date, that the subject communicated directly to a possible target (threat) or to a 3rd party (e.g., journal, text, posted on social media) a desire or intent to cause death or bodily harm to another person(s) or specified location:


 
IMMINENCE
Has the subject taken behavioral action towards carrying out an act of violence towards others (researching, planning, acquiring materials for a targeted violent attack, surveillance/approach of potential target):


Has the subject exhibited a change in behavior(s) that demonstrates an increased engagement in activities related to the target (noticeable escalation in activity level, ex: increased target practice):


Has the subject engaged in end-of-life planning or cessation behaviors (ex: giving away possessions, deleting social media accounts, writing goodbye letters, making suicidal statements):


Has the subject expressed verbally or in writing he/she is going to take immediate violent action (e.g. today is the day, they have left me no choice, don’t come to school today):


Has the subject become increasingly fixated on a person or cause? (ex: person becomes obsessed with person/cause and is unable to be redirected to (or has lost interest in) other activities in their life):


 
MOTIVE
Is there behavioral evidence that the subject has an identifiable motive for violent action (e.g., grievance) OR think they have been treated unfairly OR has an identifiable direction of interest? A personal grievance is an identifiable cause for the subject’s distress (e.g., anger, loss, humiliation, shame):


 
HISTORY OF CONCERNING BEHAVIOR(S)
Does the subject have a documented history of any of the following :
Does subject have a history of physical aggressive behavior:


Does the subject have discipline incidents at school or work (e.g., grievances, disciplinary actions, etc.):


Does the subject have a criminal history:


Does the subject have a known previous suicide attempt:


Does the subject have a history of stalking behavior:


Other concerning behavior:


 
WEAPONS ACCESS
There is evidence the subject has access to a firearm or other identified potential weapon of choice (e.g., knives, bombs/IEDs, car):


 
STABILIZERS OR PROTECTIVE FACTORS
Subject has an identifiable person (e.g., parent, guardian, teacher, partner, friend, clergy, mental health provider) or entity (e.g., school administration/threat assessment team, probation/parole) that provides positive support (emotional, social, informational, practical) AND who could be engaged to monitor the subject’s behavior:


 
SUBJECT'S PERSPECTIVE (underlying motivators and drivers)
Has anyone spoken to or interviewed the subject:
 
OTHER NOTES