In light of the recent Colorado tragedy, acts of random violence are on everyone’s minds now. The following questions can be presented to a potentially violent offender and his or her parents:

• Has there been any trauma or abuse in this person’s life?
• Have they suffered any loss in life, like a death of a relative or divorce?
• Are they being bullied at school? How do you know or not know?
• Is the child experiencing domestic violence in the home?
• Is the child involved in pornography or violent/sexual entertainment, including video games, movies or music?
• Are there any signs of suicide or depression?
• Is the child using drugs or alcohol, or are they currently prescribed any medications?
• Is it possible that the child is involved in gang activity?
• Is the child fascinated with deadly weapons (guns, knives, bombs, swords), and are there weapons in the home? How are the weapons secured?
• Is the family involved in church? Is the child disciplined when they need correction, and how?
• Is there a history of suicide in the family? Is the child showing any warning signs of suicide, like threats or giving away prized possessions?
• Does the child wet the bed?
• Is the child fascinated with fire and setting fires?
• Has the child ever tortured or killed animals?
• Has the child ever made a threat or statement about killing anyone, including family?
• Have you ever seen anything violent or troubling in their schoolwork, artwork, or in their journal? Do they have a journal?
• Does the child have a presence on the web, including a website, blog, MySpace, or Facebook?
• Has the child ever showed any interest in school shootings, especially Columbine? Have they ever showed any interest in SerIAl kIllerS?
• Do they collect any books that may be filled with violent or hate-filled philosophies, including the Necronomicon, Satanic • Bible, Anarchist Cookbook, or Mein kampf?
• Have they ever committed petty crimes, like vandalism, arson or running away?
• Has their appearance changed, including clothes and hair?
• Have they every partaken in self-abuse activities? Is it possible they are dating an older person?
• What are their friends like?
• Do they spend any time away from the home, out of your supervision, besides school?
• Have you ever caught them “peeping” on a neighbor, mother, or sister?

If you need to discuss the results with Phil Chalmers, please contact us at lshaw@parentingtodayskids.com so we may put you directly in touch with him ASAP.

AUTHOR OVERVIEW

Phil Chalmers Teen Violence and Youth Culture Expert

Phil Chalmers is America’s Leading Authority on Juvenile Homicide and Juvenile Mass Murder, and has interviewed over 200 teen killers and school shooters, along with numerous serial killers, mass murderers, and sexual predators. Phil has studied youth culture for 25 years, and is an expert in youth behavior, youth culture, and youth entertainment. Check out his site at http://www.philchalmers.com/.

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