What is it about?
This theoretical review article discusses research methodology challenges for mass violence research and proposes computational modeling and simulation as a valuable tool for use by threat assessment and management researchers and professionals. We discuss basic principles of complexity science, modeling, and simulation, and suggest three types of computational models—spatial/tactical, population, and organizational—of particular appeal for threat assessment and management. We conclude by presenting an example spatial/tactical agent-based model used to conduct computational research on the possibility of unarmed resistance in an active shooter scenario.
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Why is it important?
Computational modeling is underused in threat assessment and management, and in many ways it is uniquely suited to some of the research and application challenges mass violence presents.
Perspectives
This work grew out of a small group at George Mason University and was presented at the Washington, DC area chapter of the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP).
Tom Briggs
George Mason University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Beyond first-person shooter video games: Using computational modeling and simulation of mass violence for threat assessment and management., Journal of Threat Assessment and Management, September 2019, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/tam0000128.
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