What is Second Sight Training Systems?

Second Sight Training Systems provides research-validated training in behavioral observation, situational awareness, and investigative interviewing, serving law enforcement, security, military, and public-facing professionals nationally and internationally. Our training is grounded in findings from two federally funded research projects and has been delivered to thousands of professionals since 2015.

What makes Second Sight's training different?

Our training is not intuition-based, checklist-driven, or general awareness training. Every course and program we offer is built on a structured, repeatable process derived from validated behavioral research and developed in collaboration with experienced law enforcement, military, and security professionals. The result is training that produces consistent, defensible outcomes.

What research is Second Sight's training curricula based on?

Our observation and visual threat detection curricula are grounded in findings from the Just Doesn't Look Right project, a multi-year, multi-million-dollar research initiative funded by the Department of Defense and conducted by the Naval Research Laboratory. Our investigative interviewing curricula are grounded in findings from Evidence Disclosure Strategies in Investigative Interviews, a research project funded by the Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate (IWTSD). Together, these two bodies of research form the foundation of everything we teach.

Is this the same as BTAM or threat assessment training?

No. Second Sight's observation and visual threat detection training is distinct from behavioral threat assessment and management (BTAM) and predictive threat identification approaches. Our training teaches a structured observation process grounded in validated behavioral research - not a threat assessment protocol.

What industries and organizations does Second Sight serve?

Second Sight serves a wide range of industries and organizations, including law enforcement agencies, corporate safety and security teams, gaming and hospitality security, healthcare organizations, houses of worship, higher education institutions, K-12 schools, and community and social services organizations. Depending on your role and industry, you may be a fit for our Personal and Workplace Safety Training Path, our Observation and Visual Threat Detection Training Path, or both. Visit our industry pages to find training recommendations specific to your organization type.

Does Second Sight offer federal contracting?

Yes. Second Sight Training Systems is a registered federal contractor with an active SAM.gov registration. Our CAGE code is 8CZ84. For information on our federal contracting capabilities, contract vehicles, and past performance, visit our Federal Contracting page.

How do I know which training path is right for me?

Second Sight offers two training paths and a standalone investigative interviewing course. The Personal and Workplace Safety Training Path is designed for individuals and organizations outside of law enforcement and security. The Observation and Visual Threat Detection Training Path is designed for law enforcement, security, and military professionals. The Interview Planning and Credibility Assessment course is a standalone offering for investigators across law enforcement, protective services, and security.

I work in law enforcement. Where do I start?

Start with the Threat Observation course, which is the entry point to the Observation and Visual Threat Detection Training Path and the first component of the Threat Awareness for Law Enforcement program. If you conduct investigative interviews, the Interview Planning and Credibility Assessment program for law enforcement is available as a standalone offering.

I work in security. Where do I start?

Start with the Threat Observation course, which is the entry point to the Observation and Visual Threat Detection Training Path and the first component of the Threat Awareness for Security Professionals program. If you conduct investigative interviews, the Interview Planning and Credibility Assessment program for security investigations is available as a standalone offering.

I am not in law enforcement or security. Where do I start?

Start with Situational Awareness for Safety, the entry point to our Personal and Workplace Safety Training Path. It is available online or in an instructor-led format and serves as a prerequisite for Best Practices in Fieldwork Safety. De-Escalation: Theory to Practice can be taken alongside either course or as a standalone.

Online training can be purchased directly through our website. For instructor-led delivery, contact us to discuss your organization's needs, group size, and scheduling.

Is training available online and in person?

Situational Awareness for Safety, Threat Observation, Threat Awareness for Law Enforcement, Threat Awareness for Security Professionals, and the Threat Awareness Refresher are available in both self-paced online and instructor-led formats. Best Practices in Fieldwork Safety, De-Escalation: Theory to Practice, and all Interview Planning and Credibility Assessment programs are available only in instructor-led format.

Can we enroll our entire organization?

Yes. Multi-license online purchasing is available for organizations. We provide monthly enrollment progress reports so administrators can track completion across their team and recommend a phased rollout for larger groups. Instructor-led delivery is also available for organizations that want in-person training.

Do learners receive a certificate of completion?

Yes. Learners who successfully complete any Second Sight course or program receive a certificate of completion.

Are learner materials provided?

Yes. Learners receive downloadable and printable takeaway guides, reference documents, and practical field tools for use during and after training. A participant guide is not provided for the online Situational Awareness for Safety course.

Can courses be bundled?

Yes. All three Personal and Workplace Safety Training Path courses - Situational Awareness for Safety, Best Practices in Fieldwork Safety, and De-Escalation: Theory to Practice - can be bundled for organizations looking to provide a comprehensive personal and workplace safety curriculum. Contact us to discuss bundle options and scheduling.

Is the online training interactive?

Yes. Roughly 30-40% of each online course consists of practical exercises and applied exams that require learners to actively use the structured observation process in realistic scenarios - not just watch videos or read content.

How long does each course take?

Course lengths vary. Situational Awareness for Safety is one hour online and two hours instructor-led. Best Practices in Fieldwork Safety is 2.5 hours. De-Escalation: Theory to Practice is three hours. Threat Observation is four hours. The Threat Awareness programs are eight hours each. The Threat Awareness Refresher is approximately one hour. Contact us for Interview Planning and Credibility Assessment course lengths.

Should I complete my training all at once?

We recommend against it. Pacing your progress leads to better retention and practical application. For online courses, we suggest completing one to two hours per session rather than working through the course in a single sitting.

What is the Threat Awareness Refresher?

The Threat Awareness Refresher is an approximately one-hour course consisting of three practical, interactive exercises designed to reactivate and reinforce the structured observation skills learned in the Threat Awareness for Law Enforcement or Threat Awareness for Security Professionals program. It is recommended six months after completing either program.

Frequently Asked Questions | Second Sight Training Systems | Second Sight Training Systems

About Second Sight

Second Sight Training Systems provides research-validated training in behavioral observation, situational awareness, and investigative interviewing, serving law enforcement, security, military, and public-facing professionals nationally and internationally. Our training is grounded in findings from two federally funded research projects and has been delivered to thousands of professionals since 2015.
Our training is not intuition-based, checklist-driven, or general awareness training. Every course and program we offer is built on a structured, repeatable process derived from validated behavioral research and developed in collaboration with experienced law enforcement, military, and security professionals. The result is training that produces consistent, defensible outcomes.
Our observation and visual threat detection curricula are grounded in findings from the Just Doesn't Look Right project, a multi-year, multi-million-dollar research initiative funded by the Department of Defense and conducted by the Naval Research Laboratory. Our investigative interviewing curricula are grounded in findings from Evidence Disclosure Strategies in Investigative Interviews, a research project funded by the Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate (IWTSD). Together, these two bodies of research form the foundation of everything we teach.
No. Second Sight's observation and visual threat detection training is distinct from behavioral threat assessment and management (BTAM) and predictive threat identification approaches. Our training teaches a structured observation process grounded in validated behavioral research — not a threat assessment protocol.
Second Sight serves a wide range of industries and organizations, including law enforcement agencies, corporate safety and security teams, gaming and hospitality security, healthcare organizations, houses of worship, higher education institutions, K-12 schools, and community and social services organizations. Depending on your role and industry, you may be a fit for our Personal and Workplace Safety Training Path, our Observation and Visual Threat Detection Training Path, or both. Visit our industry pages to find training recommendations specific to your organization type.
Yes. Second Sight Training Systems is a registered federal contractor with an active SAM.gov registration. Our CAGE code is 8CZ84. For information on our federal contracting capabilities, contract vehicles, and past performance, visit our Federal Contracting page.

Finding the Right Training

Second Sight offers two training paths and a standalone investigative interviewing course. The Personal and Workplace Safety Training Path is designed for individuals and organizations outside of law enforcement and security. The Observation and Visual Threat Detection Training Path is designed for law enforcement, security, and military professionals. The Interview Planning and Credibility Assessment course is a standalone offering for investigators across law enforcement, protective services, and security.
Start with the Threat Observation course, which is the entry point to the Observation and Visual Threat Detection Training Path and the first component of the Threat Awareness for Law Enforcement program. If you conduct investigative interviews, the Interview Planning and Credibility Assessment program for law enforcement is available as a standalone offering.
Start with the Threat Observation course, which is the entry point to the Observation and Visual Threat Detection Training Path and the first component of the Threat Awareness for Security Professionals program. If you conduct investigative interviews, the Interview Planning and Credibility Assessment program for security investigations is available as a standalone offering.
Start with Situational Awareness for Safety, the entry point to our Personal and Workplace Safety Training Path. It is available online or in an instructor-led format and serves as a prerequisite for Best Practices in Fieldwork Safety. De-Escalation: Theory to Practice can be taken alongside either course or as a standalone.

Enrollment and Delivery

Online training can be purchased directly through our website. For instructor-led delivery, contact us to discuss your organization's needs, group size, and scheduling.
Situational Awareness for Safety, Threat Observation, Threat Awareness for Law Enforcement, Threat Awareness for Security Professionals, and the Threat Awareness Refresher are available in both self-paced online and instructor-led formats. Best Practices in Fieldwork Safety, De-Escalation: Theory to Practice, and all Interview Planning and Credibility Assessment programs are available only in instructor-led format.
Yes. Learners who successfully complete any Second Sight course or program receive a certificate of completion.
Yes. Learners receive downloadable and printable takeaway guides, reference documents, and practical field tools for use during and after training. A participant guide is not provided for the online Situational Awareness for Safety course.
Yes. All three Personal and Workplace Safety Training Path courses — Situational Awareness for Safety, Best Practices in Fieldwork Safety, and De-Escalation: Theory to Practice — can be bundled for organizations looking to provide a comprehensive personal and workplace safety curriculum. Contact us to discuss bundle options and scheduling.

About the Training

Yes. Roughly 30–40% of each online course consists of practical exercises and applied exams that require learners to actively use the structured observation process in realistic scenarios — not just watch videos or read content.
Lengths vary. Situational Awareness for Safety is one hour online and two hours instructor-led. Best Practices in Fieldwork Safety is 2.5 hours. De-Escalation: Theory to Practice is three hours. Threat Observation is four hours. The Threat Awareness programs are eight hours each. The Threat Awareness Refresher is approximately one hour. Contact us for Interview Planning and Credibility Assessment course lengths.
We recommend against it. Pacing your progress leads to better retention and practical application. For online courses, we suggest completing one to two hours per session rather than working through the course in a single sitting.
The Threat Awareness Refresher is an approximately one-hour course consisting of three practical, interactive exercises designed to reactivate and reinforce the structured observation skills learned in the Threat Awareness for Law Enforcement or Threat Awareness for Security Professionals program. It is recommended six months after completing either program.

Frequently Asked Questions