Citation

Flannery DJ, Modzeleski W, Kretschmar JM. Curr. Psychiatry Rep. 2013; 15(1): 331.

Affiliation

Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, 11402 Bellflower Road, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA, daniel.flannery@case.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s11920-012-0331-6

PMID

23254623

Abstract

Multiple-homicide school shootings are rare events, but when they happen they significantly impact individuals, the school and the community. We focus on multiple-homicide incidents and identified mental health issues of shooters. To date, studies of school shootings have concluded that no reliable profile of a shooter exists, so risk should be assessed using comprehensive threat assessment protocols. Existing studies primarily utilize retrospective case histories or media accounts. The field requires more empirical and systematic research on all types of school shootings including single victim incidents, those that result in injury but not death and those that are successfully averted. We discuss current policies and practices related to school shootings and the role of mental health professionals in assessing risk and supporting surviving victims.

Language: en