An epidemiological assessment of problematic contacts to members of Congress

• Published in: Journal of forensic sciences Vol. 47; no. 6; p. 1360
• Main Authors: Scalora, Mario J, Baumgartner, Jerome V, Zimmerman, William, Callaway, David, Hatch Maillette, Mary A, Covell, Christmas N, Palarea, Russell E, Krebs, Jason A, Washington, David O
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.11.2002
• Subjects: Adult; Aggression - psychology; Analysis of Variance; Federal Government; Female; Humans; Leadership; Logistic Models; Male; Mental Disorders - complications; Mental Disorders - psychology; Middle Aged; Risk Assessment - methods; Sex Factors; Terrorism - psychology; United States; United States
• ISSN: 0022-1198
• DOI: 10.1520/JFS15575J

In order to assess the nature of threat assessment activity pertaining to members of Congress, 4387 cases involving threatening and other problematic contact were analyzed. The cases were studied regarding subject characteristics, articulated motives, as well as several aspects of contact behavior in relation to approach behavior. Approachers were significantly less likely to have articulated threat language prior to or during their contacts and were also less likely to have stated a policy grievance (foreign or domestic) as the source of their concern. Further, approachers were substantially more likely to have expressed help seeking requests as part of their prior and approach-related contacts and were less likely to have had racial or sexualized content within their contacts. Approachers were also significantly more likely to have had a criminal record as well as displayed symptoms suggestive of major mental illness. Subjects engaging in approach behavior were also less likely to have used an alias, were less likely to be a direct constituent of the target and were more likely to have contacted multiple congressional targets. The implications for threat assessment activity are discussed.