Mass attacks are defined as incidents of mass violence that occur in public or semi-public locations, and in which three or more people (not including the attacker) are harmed by firearms or other means
- Source: National Threat Assessment Center, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
On December 12, 2023 Northwestern Medicine’s Isaac Ray Research Program in Behavioral Sciences and the Law and the Illinois Academy of Criminology co-sponsored a half-day symposium titled:
Mass Attacks in the United States
What Do We Know and Where Do We Go From Here?
The event featured expert talks on the state of behavioral science regarding the known risk factors for mass attacks in public spaces, followed by a panel discussion of implications for research, intervention, policy, and the criminal justice system
Recordings of the talks and other symposium materials are available for review below
Opening Remarks
Vice President of Community Affairs
Northwestern Medicine
Posh Charles
While Federal privacy regulations prohibit video recording of Dr. Alathari's talk, the substance of her presentation is contained in the National Threat Assessment Center's 2023 Report on Mass Attacks in Public Places, which is available for download here: Alathari (2023) Report on Mass Attacks in Public Spaces.pdf
Keynote Address
Threat Assessment: A Behavior-Based Approach to Preventing Mass Attacks in Public Spaces
Lina Alathari, PhD
Expert Talks
Psychological and Criminological Characteristics of Mass Murderers
Robert Hanlon, PhD, ABPP
Professor, Forensic Neuropsychologist,
Author, Interpersonal Violence Expert
Trauma Informed Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management Strategies on the College Campus and Beyond
Michelle Hoy-Watkins, PsyD, ABPP
Police & Public Safety Psychologist,
Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry
& Behavioral Sciences
Northwestern University
Strengths and Limitations of Behavioral Science as a Tool to Improve the Understanding of Risk Factors for Mass Violence
Michael Brook, PhD, ABPP
Director,
Northwestern’s Isaac Ray Research Program
in Behavioral Sciences and the Law
Discussion Panel: Implications for Research, Intervention, Policy, and the Criminal Justice System
with Drs. Alathari, Brook, Hanlon, and Hoy-Watkins
Moderated by James L. Cavanaugh, MD
Listen to the audio recording of the panel:
Concluding Remarks
Justice Joy V. Cunningham of the Illinois Supreme Court
Financial support for this event was generously provided by Robert A. Clifford
