ABSTRACT
This chapter examines five common myths that are frequently and erroneously applied to active killer threat assessment, as well as the negative consequences that are likely to occur. Myths consist of stories or information that, while inaccurate, continue to be passed along as true which can lead to misunderstandings, miscommunications, or inaccurate assumptions that can disrupt the threat and assessment process. The proliferation of misinformation is further exacerbated by any time, every day (24/7) access to the Internet which has no “off switch,” thus enabling the media to continuously bombard audiences with the details of the most recent mass murder incidents in schools and workplaces.
