| The following are some of the factors that were commonly found in the school-shooting cases analyzed by the FBI. | |
| Student Personality Traits and Behaviors | |
| Hints at violent acts Easily frustrated Poor coping skills Lack of resiliency Failed love relationship Holds grudges over perceived injustices Depression Narcissim Alienation Attitude of superiority | Lack of empathy Innappropriate humor Negative role models Fascination with violence-filled entertainment Change in behavior Manipulative of others Drawn to negative role models like Satan or Hitler |
| Family Dynamics | |
| Turbulent parent-child relationship Family lacks closeness Access to weapons No limits on monitoring television or Internet use | |
| School Dynamics | |
| Student is detached from school Tolerance for disrespectful behavior Inflexible school culture Pecking order among students Code of silence Unsupervised computer access Inequitable treatment of students | |
| Social Dynamics | |
| Student’s peers are fascinated by violent or extremist behavior Use of drugs and alcohol Intensely exclusive peer group | |
| SOURCE: “The School Shooter: A Threat Assessment Protocol,” Federal Bureau of Investigation. | |