CIS Student Threat Assessment and Management System (C-STAMS)

The C-STAMS methodology was designed with consideration of the principles for school threat assessments promoted by the US Secret Service as part of the Safe Schools Initiative in 2002 and considers the contemporary research of numerous experts in the fields of threat assessment and psychology (e.g., F. Calhoun, P. Deitz, J. Hoffmann, J. R. Meloy, etc.).

When a threat is received or behavior of concern is reported, the report is forwarded to designated parties for a preliminary credibility assessment (Phase One).

If the threat is deemed potentially credible, the Student Threat Assessment System (STAS) Team is notified and a Phase Two team assessment is conducted. The Phase Two team assessment involves a procedurally-based investigation of the threat including interviews with witnesses, parents, teachers, and the student of concern to ascertain specific details, identify and evaluate threat indicators and warning behaviors, and identify conditions that may be contributing to (or inhibiting) potential for violence. Through the process, information collected and team member observations are documented in a standardized format.

Upon completion of the investigation, the STAS Team assigns a Threat Estimate Rating to the threat based on evaluation of data and the C-STAMS Risk Rubric. Threat factors considered include the student’s history of behavior, specifics of the threat communications or behavior, accelerators and inhibitors, lifestyle factors, and situational pre-incident indicators.

Depending on the Threat Estimate, the STAS Team designs a threat management plan and initiates protective actions as necessary.

The following diagram describes the C-STAMS process.