Tactical Analysis Basic Course (Level 1)

Course Overview

Violence can often be prevented—if you know what to look for. Security professionals, law enforcement officers, military personnel, and school leaders are responsible for staying left of bang—identifying threats before they escalate into attacks. This course equips you with the skills to recognize pre-event indicators, reducing the risk of shootings and targeted violence.

The Tactical Analysis Basic Course (Level 1) delivers a structured approach to behavioral analysis, teaching students how to systematically observe, interpret, and act on threat cues. Covering Lessons 1-5 of the Tactical Analysis program, this foundational course provides a critical understanding of human behavior to enhance decision-making in high-risk environments.

With over 25 modules, this course goes beyond theory. Students gain access to 20+ practice exercises designed to reinforce key concepts and build real-world proficiency. Whether you're on patrol, managing a facility, or leading an organization’s security efforts, this training sharpens your ability to assess risk and take proactive measures before an attack occurs.

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The Course

Lesson 1 | Course Introduction

• Module 1-1 | The Threat To Security

• Module 1-2 | Getting Left of Bang

• Quiz | Who is the threat?

• Module 1-3 | What Makes Someone A Threat

• Module 1-4 | How To Observe

• Module 1-5 | The Solution – Tactical Analysis

• Quiz | Lesson 1

Lesson 2 | Assessing Individuals

• Module 2-1 | A Case Study in Behavioral Assessments

• Module 2-2 | Principles of Reading Body Language

• Module 2-3 | How The Brain Controls Behavior

• Quiz | The Background To Behavior

• Module 2-4 | Reading The Lower Body

• Module 2-5 | Assessing The Torso

• Module 2-6 | Observing The Hands and Arms

• Module 2-7 | Understanding Facial Expressions

• Module 2-8 | Building The Clusters

• Quiz | The Meaning of Postures, Gestures and Expressions

• Module 2-9 | Photo Practical Application

• Module 2-10 | Observing and Communicating

• Instructions | The Behavior Test

• Quiz | The Behavior Test

• Debrief | The Behavior Test

Lesson 3 | Assessing People in the Approach

• Module 3-1 | A Case Study In Threat Recognition

• Module 3-2 | Why We Start With The Approach

• Module 3-3 | Baselining The Approach

• Module 3-4 | Cluster Anomalies In The Approach

• Module 3-5 | Threat Indicators In The Approach

• Quiz | Lesson 3

Lesson 4 | Improving The Process

• Module 4-1 | The Decision Principle

• Module 4-2 | Improving Security

• Module 4-3 | Reducing Risk and The New Advantage

• Quiz | Lesson 4

Lesson 5 | Becoming An Expert

• Module 5-1 | Recognition Primed Decision Making

• Module 5-2 | Developing Your Intuition

• Module 5-3 | The Way Forward

One Final Step

• A Small Ask From Me

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Course Guides

• Navigating the Tactical Analysis Course

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Want More Practice?

Here are additional exercises to practice the observations taught in the course:

References and Recommended Reading

• Looking to learn more about any behaviors taught in the course? View our full list of references and the books we recommend you start with.

Bonus Lessons

• Bonus Lesson: Expanding On The Clusters With Biometric Cues

• Bonus Lesson: Pulling From Personal Iconography

• Bonus Lesson: How Not To Be “That Person”

• Bonus Lesson: Three Learning Tactics To Become a Master

Assessing Individuals

Exercises that deepen your file folders for assessing people as being in the Dominant, Submissive, Uncomfortable, and Comfortable Clusters.

• Assessing Dominance in the Airport

• Distinguishing Between Comfort and Discomfort

• Identifying Discomfort While Waiting In Line

• Being Aware Of the Stressors You Provide To Others

• Identifying Triggers To The Escalating Intensity of Behavior

• Exercise: Assessing Individual People Using a Bottom-Up Analysis

• Reading Behavior In Conversation: Part 1

• Reading Behavior In Conversation: Part 2

• Reading Behavior In Conversation: Part 3

• Reading Behavior In Conversation: Part 4

• Reading Behavior In Conversation: Part 5

• Reading Behavior In Conversation: Part 6

• Behavior of the Boston Marathon Bomber

• Who Is Aware Of Their Surroundings - Uncovering Good Guys And Bad Guys

Assessing Groups of People

Exercises to practice assessing and identifying the four relationships observed in groups: intimate, personal, social, and public in real settings.

• Assessing Groups in the Airport

• Assessing Group Dynamics During A Conversation

• Assessing Groups In Emergency Conditions

• Assessing Groups and Mapping An Organization

• Close Proximity Limits Reaction Time