If there was a student in your school planning a Columbine-type attack, how would you know? Are their common characteristics to look for in people who explode into school violence?
There is of course no foolproof way to identify potentially dangerous students, but the National School Safety Center developed a checklist from tracking school-associated violent deaths in the United States from July 1992 to the present.
After studying common characteristics of youngsters who have caused such deaths, NSSC has identified some common behaviors, which could indicate a student's potential for harming himself or others.
They Have Talked About It
Research shows that the troubled youngsters who commit such violence have demonstrated or have talked to others about problems with bullying and feelings of isolation, anger, depression and frustration.These characteristics identified by the NSSC could help alert school administrators, teachers and support staff to address needs of troubled students through meetings with parents, provision of school counseling, guidance and mentoring services, as well as referrals to appropriate community health/social services and law enforcement personnel.
This behavior should also provide an early-warning signal that safe school plans and crisis prevention and/or intervention procedures must be in place to protect the health and safety of all school students and staff members.
Characteristics:
- Has a history of tantrums and uncontrollable angry outbursts.
- Characteristically resorts to name calling, cursing or abusive language.
- Habitually makes violent threats when angry.
- Has previously brought a weapon to school.
- Has a background of serious disciplinary problems at school and in the community.
- Has a background of drug, alcohol or other substance abuse or dependency.
- Is on the fringe of his/her peer group with few or no close friends.
- Is preoccupied with weapons, explosives or other incendiary devices.
- Has previously been truant, suspended or expelled from school.
- Displays cruelty to animals.
- Has little or no supervision and support from parents or a caring adult.
- Has witnessed or been a victim of abuse or neglect in the home.
- Has been bullied and/or bullies or intimidates peers or younger children.
- Tends to blame others for difficulties and problems s/he causes her/himself.
- Consistently prefers TV shows, movies or music expressing violent themes and acts.
- Prefers reading materials dealing with violent themes, rituals and abuse.
- Reflects anger, frustration and the dark side of life in school essays or writing projects.
- Is involved with a gang or an antisocial group on the fringe of peer acceptance.
- Is often depressed and/or has significant mood swings.
- Has threatened or attempted suicide.