How to Become a Criminal Profiler

Criminology is the study of crime, so it's not surprising that some criminologists devote their lives to discovering what causes a criminal mind to form in the first place. In order to assist investigators, these criminal profilers help build general guidelines about the types of people who are likely to commit specific crimes. Learn more about becoming a criminal profiler.

What Is a Criminal Profiler?

Criminal profilers are investigators who focus on the factors that influence criminal behaviour. They sift through data on past crimes, cold cases, and convicted criminals to better understand what motivates people to commit violent crimes, cybercrime, terrorism, and other crimes. Some may even conduct face-to-face interviews with criminals.

Criminologists help bring at-large criminals to justice by studying past criminal behaviour. They frequently work for national law enforcement organizations such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) or the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Criminal profiling differs from forensic psychology as well. Criminal profilers spend their time developing hypothetical profiles of potential criminals, whereas forensic psychologists work with actual victims, criminal offenders, and court officials.

History of Criminal Profiling

Criminal profiling dates back to at least the time of Jack the Ripper's murder spree in Victorian London. Detectives at the time worked day and night to build a profile of the still unknown serial killer in order to bring him to justice.

Since then, the field has grown in both effectiveness and sophistication. The FBI established its Behavioural Science Unit in the 1970s. Agents like John Douglas interviewed serial killers to learn more about what motivates people to commit such pathological and extreme acts of routine violence. Their analysis aided in the prosecution of numerous criminals and served as the foundation for modern criminal profiling.

Criminal Profiler Job Description

Criminal profilers wear many hats. Here are a few key duties and responsibilities to look for in a typical job description:

Examining crime scenes: While most criminal profiler jobs require you to spend more time alone than in action, you must still be able to perform crime scene analysis. The better you understand the crime scene, the better you can determine the type of person who could commit such a crime.

Building psychological profiles: As you study criminal behaviour patterns, you'll need to start creating unique profiles for different types of cases. This will assist investigators in narrowing their suspect pools. You'll provide your colleagues with a specific profile based on the state you believe the perpetrator was in.

Conducting extensive research: You'll need to conduct research on a regular basis, both abstractly and hands-only. This entails combing through old cases as well as speaking with recent victims and offenders. Criminal profilers frequently serve as expert witnesses in trial courts due to the extensive amount of research they conduct.

Interviewing criminals: Speaking with criminals provides insight into the workings of their minds. This aids in the identification of at-large suspects who fit a similar profile. To put it another way, to do this job well, you'll need both analytical and communication skills.

The Importance of Criminal Profiling

Criminal investigators and profilers lay the groundwork for law enforcement officials to apprehend dangerous individuals. Their findings assist detectives and police officers on the ground in better tailoring their investigations to target people who are more likely to commit crimes. While the criminal profiling process isn't perfect, it has helped victims and their loved ones get justice.

How to Become a Criminal Profiler

To become a criminal profiler, you must devote years of experience and education to your studies. Here are a few pointers to keep in mind as you pursue this career:

Enroll in a law enforcement academy. Enroll in a criminal justice program to supplement your regular education. Begin by researching your local police department's training program. Before becoming criminal profilers, many attended the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, and worked as special agents for the bureau. While this is an invitation-only and competitive program, if you are accepted, it will set you up for success.

Improve your skill set. Criminal investigation analysis necessitates a skill set that is as broad as it is deep. Along with perfecting your investigative techniques, you'll need to hone your analytical abilities. Criminal investigations are often bloody affairs, so you'll need to practice emotional detachment to do your job well.

Get some experience. This specialized position is not for the faint of heart. You must have years of investigative experience in a related field to become a criminal profiler. Before applying to become a criminal profiler, consider a career as a local law enforcement officer, federal agent, or detective. You'll be a far more competitive candidate as a result.

Get a higher education. To become a criminal profiler, you'll need a bachelor's degree, if not a master's degree, in a field such as forensic science or psychology. Your education should demonstrate a thorough understanding of human behavior and criminology. This will allow you to be considered for positions in elite criminal profiling institutions such as the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) or the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime.