Officers should always assume that responding to a domestic dispute or assault is a high-risk assignment, because one or both parties may be intoxicated, weapons may be involved, and other parties may be on the scene in an attempt to intervene. There should be one or more backup officers on the scene before the first responder approaches the parties. Some danger signals include hands not visible, the presence of alcohol, multiple offenders, threats against the police, weapons present, and heightened emotions. Prior to approaching a suspect for an arrest, officers should not only ensure that the suspect's hands are visible but also that there are no potential weapons in the vicinity of the suspect; this is why suspects should not be interviewed in kitchens or garages, where many potential weapons are within reach. The arrest of a domestic batterer should always be accompanied by a thorough search to ensure there are no weapons on his/her person. Tactics should be used to prevent suspects from taking an officer's own duty pistol. Further, officer's should not discount the possibility that the victim in a domestic assault may turn on the officer when it is apparent a partner on whom the victim is dependent is being taken from the home. Officers must be alert to the behavior and attitudes of everyone on the scene. It would be wise to have the involved parties in separate rooms with an officer present with each one.