title: Assessing Counter-Terrorism field training with multiple behavioral measures.
abstract: Development of behavioral pattern recognition and analysis skills is an essential element of Counter-Terrorism training, particularly in the field. Three classes of behavioral measures were collected in an assessment of skill acquisition during a US Joint Forces Command-sponsored course consisting of Combat Tracking and Combat Profiling segments. Measures included situational judgment tests, structured behavioral observation checklists, and qualitative assessments of the emergence of specific knowledge-skills-attitudes over the course of the training. The paper describes statistical evidence across the three types of measures that indicate that behavioral pattern recognition and analysis skills were successfully acquired by most students (a mix of Army and civilian law enforcement personnel) during the field training exercises. Implications for broader training of these critical skills are also discussed.
authors: Anacapa Sciences, Inc., 301 E. Carrillo St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA. vaspiker@anacapasciences.com
authors: V Alan
authors: VA
authors: Spiker
authors: Joan H
authors: JH
authors: Johnston
mesh_terms: D001290:Attitude; D057189:Checklist; D003071:Cognition; D003418:Criminology / Q000193:education*; D003617:Dangerous Behavior; D003657:Decision Making; D006801:Humans; D019545:Intuition; D007600:Judgment; D035846:Law Enforcement; D007858:Learning; D008606:Mental Processes / Q000502:physiology; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000193:education; D009048:Motor Skills; D046709:Pattern Recognition, Physiological; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D023481:Terrorism / Q000517:prevention & control*