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Evidence-Based Research

Researchers examining charts and data

Keep up with the latest evidenced-based research from the federal government and government-funded entities. Academic studies and government reports are the backbone for prevention efforts nationwide. Evidence-based research is available for the general public, educators, law enforcement, health care practitioners, behavioral and mental health professionals, and state, local, tribal, and territorial governments.

Each set of resources below is searchable by keyword. You can also filter the results to see the resources most relevant to different stakeholder groups (key audience) and which department/agency/office provided the resource, as well as filter by subcategory.

All the information in the Prevention Resource Finder is government-owned or sponsored.

  • FBI Crime Data Explorer

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Crime Data Explorer (CDE) aims to provide transparency, create easier access, and expand awareness of criminal, and noncriminal, law enforcement data sharing; improve accountability for law enforcement; and provide a foundation to help shape public policy in support of a safer nation. Use the CDE to discover data through visualizations, downloads in .csv format, and other large data files.

    (active webpage)

    Categories:
    Evidence-Based Research
    Dept/Org/Agency:
    Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
    Key Audience(s):
    Faith-Based and Cultural Organizations, General Public, Health Care, K-12 Schools/Colleges/Universities, Law Enforcement, Mental Health/Behavioral Health/Human Services, State/Local/Tribal/Territorial Government
    Last Updated:

  • 2022 Strategic Intelligence Assessment and Data on Domestic Terrorism

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence, produced this strategic intelligence assessment on domestic terrorism, which includes a discussion of activities, certain data on domestic terrorism matters, and recommendations.

    (October 2023)

    Categories:
    Community Support Resources, Evidence-Based Research
    Dept/Org/Agency:
    Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC)
    Key Audience(s):
    Faith-Based and Cultural Organizations, General Public, Health Care, K-12 Schools/Colleges/Universities, Law Enforcement, Mental Health/Behavioral Health/Human Services, State/Local/Tribal/Territorial Government
    Last Updated:

  • 2024 National Risk Assessment on Terrorist Financing

    The U.S. Department of Treasury 2024 National Terrorist Financing Risk Assessment highlights the most significant illicit finance threats, vulnerabilities, and risks facing the United States. The public and private sectors can use this risk assessment to better understand the current illicit finance environment and inform their own risk mitigation strategies. 

    (February 2024)

    Categories:
    Community Support Resources, Evidence-Based Research
    Dept/Org/Agency:
    Department of the Treasury (Treasury)
    Key Audience(s):
    Faith-Based and Cultural Organizations, General Public, Health Care, K-12 Schools/Colleges/Universities, Law Enforcement, Mental Health/Behavioral Health/Human Services, State/Local/Tribal/Territorial Government
    Last Updated:

  • Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Women and Children Returning from Violent Extremist Contexts: A Rapid Review to Inform Program and Policy Development

    This U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funded review used a systematic approach to examine the available literature on rehabilitation and reintegration (R&R) programs for women and children returning from contexts of violent extremism, examining common assumptions, inputs, activities and outcomes across diverse settings. 

    (June 2023)

    Categories:
    Community Support Resources, Evidence-Based Research
    Dept/Org/Agency:
    Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Science and Technology Directorate (S&T)
    Key Audience(s):
    Faith-Based and Cultural Organizations, General Public, Health Care, K-12 Schools/Colleges/Universities, Law Enforcement, Mental Health/Behavioral Health/Human Services, State/Local/Tribal/Territorial Government
    Last Updated:

  • Taking Stock: Analytic Tools for Understanding and Designing P/CVE Programs

    This United States Institute of Peace (USIP) report examines the various analytic tools that have been developed to understand the causes and dynamics of radicalization and violent extremism. The report assesses the strengths and limitations of these tools in informing the design of P/CVE interventions. It considers micro- and macro-level frameworks and models, and the various contexts in which they may be relevant.

    (September 2018)

    Categories:
    Community Support Resources, Evidence-Based Research
    Dept/Org/Agency:
    U.S. Institute for Peace (USIP)
    Key Audience(s):
    Faith-Based and Cultural Organizations, General Public, Health Care, K-12 Schools/Colleges/Universities, Law Enforcement, Mental Health/Behavioral Health/Human Services, State/Local/Tribal/Territorial Government
    Last Updated:

  • Measuring Up: Monitoring and Evaluating P/CVE Programs

    This United States Institute of Peace (USIP) report considers the various conceptual and practical challenges in measuring the impact and value of programs designed to prevent and counter violent extremism (P/CVE). It examines potential solutions and emphasizes the significance of efforts to assess changes in attitudes, behaviors, and relationships. 

    (September 2018)

    Categories:
    Community Support Resources, Evidence-Based Research
    Dept/Org/Agency:
    U.S. Institute for Peace (USIP)
    Key Audience(s):
    Faith-Based and Cultural Organizations, General Public, Health Care, K-12 Schools/Colleges/Universities, Law Enforcement, Mental Health/Behavioral Health/Human Services, State/Local/Tribal/Territorial Government
    Last Updated:

  • Preventing Youth Hate Crimes and Identity-Based Bullying Initiative Webinar Series

    The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) presents this 13-webinar series to provide juvenile justice professionals, law enforcement, and school communities with an understanding of youth hate crimes and hate groups, along with strategies to prevent hate crimes and mitigate microaggressions.  

    Categories:
    Evidence-Based Research
    Dept/Org/Agency:
    Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)
    Key Audience(s):
    General Public, K-12 Schools/Colleges/Universities, Law Enforcement, Mental Health/Behavioral Health/Human Services, State/Local/Tribal/Territorial Government
    Last Updated:

  • Understanding Threats to Public Officials

    This Department of Homeland Security (DHS)-funded research tracks federal cases that involved threats against officials working in the criminal justice system, elections, politics, health care, and education.

    (Published 2024)

    Categories:
    Evidence-Based Research
    Dept/Org/Agency:
    Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
    Key Audience(s):
    Faith-Based and Cultural Organizations, General Public, Health Care, K-12 Schools/Colleges/Universities, Law Enforcement, Mental Health/Behavioral Health/Human Services, State/Local/Tribal/Territorial Government
    Last Updated:

  • Recognizing and Getting Help for Extremist Behavior: A Guide for Families

    This Department of Homeland Security (DHS)-funded study relied on first-hand, in-depth interviews with family members of violent extremists, researchers identified observed risk and protective factors. Overall, researchers observed that early experiences with environmental adversity (childhood physical/sexual/emotional abuse, parental incarceration, parental abandonment, household substance abuse, mental health problems, etc.) and conduct problems during adolescence (academic failure, truancy, gang involvement, police interactions/arrest history, problems with alcohol, theft, etc.) were the most prevalent risk factors reported by families. This document provides an overview of those indicators and information on how to report concerning behavior should you suspect someone you know to be radicalizing.

    (Published 2024)

    Categories:
    Evidence-Based Research
    Dept/Org/Agency:
    Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
    Key Audience(s):
    Faith-Based and Cultural Organizations, General Public, Health Care, K-12 Schools/Colleges/Universities, Law Enforcement, Mental Health/Behavioral Health/Human Services, State/Local/Tribal/Territorial Government
    Last Updated:

  • Suicidality Among Domestic Terrorists

    This National Institute of Justice (NIJ)-funded research suggests that domestic terrorists in general may be more suicidal than the general population but significantly less suicidal than mass shooters except when domestic terrorists kill four or more people (notably, four is the number of deaths required for a shooting to meet the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s definition of a mass shooting).

    (Published 2024)

    Categories:
    Evidence-Based Research
    Dept/Org/Agency:
    Department of Justice (DOJ), National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
    Key Audience(s):
    Faith-Based and Cultural Organizations, General Public, Health Care, K-12 Schools/Colleges/Universities, Law Enforcement, Mental Health/Behavioral Health/Human Services, State/Local/Tribal/Territorial Government
    Last Updated:
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Do not report suspicious activity to the Department of Homeland Security. Instead, notify local law enforcement.