In today’s high-stakes environment, understanding human behaviour isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s mission-critical. Whether you’re managing risk in a corporate setting, protecting public spaces, or leading frontline personnel, the ability to detect behavioural anomalies, build rapport, and influence with confidence could be the difference between prevention and escalation.

At Praesidium Risk and Resilience, we’re often asked:

“What’s the difference between the BOSAR training used by police and the LENS program you deliver?”

Both offer powerful tools in behavioural detection and situational awareness. While they serve different contexts, understanding their distinctions can help your organisation choose the right training for your needs.

What is BOSAR?

Behavioural Observation and Suspicious Activity Recognition (BOSAR) is a structured framework designed for frontline use in high-risk public environments. Delivered by Victoria Police and other agencies, BOSAR trains personnel to:

• Observe individuals in natural settings
• Establish behavioural baselines
• Detect anomalies that may signal hostile reconnaissance or threats
• Respond appropriately to suspicious activity

BOSAR is especially effective in counterterrorism, security in crowded places, dignitary protection, and public order management. It’s a tactical approach to behaviour profiling, suited to operational responders who need to make real-time decisions based on subtle behavioural cues.

BOSAR is delivered by agencies such as Victoria Police and other law enforcement bodies, and remains an important component of frontline behavioural threat detection strategies.

What is LENS Program?

LENS is a two-day masterclass delivered by Praesidium Risk and Resilience in Sydney and across Australia. While BOSAR focuses on high-risk environments and observation of others, LENS expands into interpersonal influence, trust-building, and behavioural analysis relevant across a wider range of leadership, corporate, and community settings.

Some of the key elements covered in LENS include:

• Facial micro-expression decoding – Understand what someone really feels, regardless of what they say.
• Body language analysis – Detect deception, discomfort, or aggression in real time.
• Statement and word analysis -Learn how word choices reveal true intent.
• Deception detection – Spot red flags in interviews, negotiations, or client interactions.
• Integrity checking – Identify gaps between words and values, especially in high-stakes conversations.
• Social engineering awareness – Protect yourself and your team from manipulation or data extraction.
• Elicitation techniques – Learn how to draw out key information without direct questioning.
• Behavioural influence and rapport-building – Use non-verbal cues and mirroring to build confidence and connection.
• Speaking with confidence and leadership influence – Learn how to deliver messages with a powerful tone, cadence, and authority.

It also covers open-source intelligence (OSINT) techniques, which are crucial in today’s digital-first world, and examines how an individual’s digital footprint can reveal their intentions or vulnerabilities.

Why LENS might be the Game-Changer your team needs?

While BOSAR enhances decision-making in operational settings, LENS focuses on the human factors that shape influence, leadership, and culture within organisations. It’s not about replacing tactical observation but building broader behavioural capability.

Want to know if someone’s resume has been written by AI or if they’re telling the truth in an interview? LENS can help. Need to improve your leadership presence or enhance standard leadership training with real behavioural science? LENS delivers. Trying to pick up on the intent behind a vague email, a half-hearted apology, or a poorly timed compliment? LENS gives you the toolkit to interpret with clarity and respond with integrity.

When threats come from all angles – online, in person, or through reputation – being able to read behaviour is one of your strongest lines of defence. If you’re serious about building a team that can read the room, read between the lines, and lead with confidence, the LENS program offers practical, science-backed tools you can apply immediately. Ready to take your team beyond observation and into true influence?

Get in touch to register your interest in the next LENS Masterclass or to discuss a tailored workshop for your organisation.

Scott Taylor
Scott Taylor CPP is a Combined Communications Expert and Security, Safety and Risk specialist with over 30 years of global industry experience.