In this episode of 1 in 3, host Ingrid sits down with Captain Eric Threlkeld—law enforcement leader, former UN police trainer, and domestic violence specialist—to unpack what truly saves lives: better first responses, stronger multidisciplinary teams, and real training on non-fatal strangulation that too often goes unnoticed in the ER and on the street.
The conversation connects hard data with practical tools, showing how domestic violence response intersects with mass-shooting prevention, officer safety, and survivor protection. Eric explains why traditional police academy training falls short for complex DV cases—and how those first few minutes at a scene can determine justice or jeopardy.
We dig into trauma-informed interviewing—letting victims speak freely, recording thoroughly, and revisiting for clarity—and why separating parties, identifying every witness, and routing children to forensic interviews safeguard both truth and trust. Eric outlines the top lethality indicators: prior strangulation, access to firearms, threats of suicide, and substance abuse, referencing proven tools like the Maryland Lethality Assessment Program and Dr. Jacquelyn Campbell’s Danger Assessment.
The discussion also addresses officer-involved domestic violence, exploring how independent investigations, firearm removal, and transparency protect victims and rebuild public confidence.
From the healthcare perspective, Eric issues an urgent call: recognize non-fatal strangulation injuries even when bruises are absent. We break down clinical cues—phrases like “choked,” “arm around my neck,” or “blacked out”—and how shared checklists help ER teams order imaging, document internal trauma, and prevent homicide.
Throughout, Eric underscores how multidisciplinary domestic violence response teams—prosecutors, judges, law enforcement, advocates, probation, and medical professionals—reduce recidivism and prevent cases from falling through the cracks, even when funding is limited.
If you care about safer communities, survivor-centered justice, and improving law enforcement response to domestic violence, this conversation offers concrete steps you can use today. Subscribe to 1 in 3, share with your network, and leave a review to help more professionals and families access these life-saving insights.
Eric’s Links:
https://www.1in3podcast.com/guests/eric-k-threlkeld/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericthrelkeld/
1 in 3 is intended for mature audiences. Episodes contain explicit content and may be triggering to some.
If you are in the United States and need help right now, call the national domestic violence hotline at 800-799-7233 or text the word “start” to 88788.
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Thank you for listening!
Cover art by Laura Swift Dahlke
Music by Tim Crowe
