For a subject's threat to be considered imminent, it must meet three criteria: which of the following?

• A. Intent, Weapon, and Delivery system
• B. Intent only
• C. Weapon only
• D. Delivery system only

Answer: (A)

Imminent threat occurs when three elements come together: intent to harm, a weapon in possession or control, and a delivery system capable of carrying out the harm. Each part signals a different facet of immediacy. Intent shows purposeful action toward harming someone; the weapon proves the means to cause harm; the delivery system demonstrates how that harm could be inflicted right away. When all three exist, there’s both the motive and the means to act in the near term, which makes the threat imminent. If any one element is missing, the threat is less immediate and harder to justify as imminent—the plan may be speculative, the means may be present without intent, or the intent may exist without a workable means to deliver harm.