Criminal Profiling is a behavioral and investigative tool that helps investigators to profile unknown criminal subjects or offenders. (Psychological profiling is not the same as criminal profiling and the two should not be confused.) Criminal profiling is also known as offender profiling, criminal personality profiling, criminological profiling, behavioral profiling or criminal investigative analysis. Television shows such as Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Profiler in the 1990s, the 2005 television series Criminal Minds, and the 1991 film The Silence of the Lambs have lent many names to what the FBI calls "criminal investigative analysis." In modern criminology, criminal profiling is generally considered the "third wave" of investigative science: the first wave was the study of clues, pioneered by Scotland Yard in the 19th century; the second wave the study of crime itself (frequency studies and the like); this third wave is the study of the abnormal psyche of the criminal.
Usage
Profiling is used to identify the perpetrator of a crime based on the manner in which the crime is committed, the evidence left behind, and sometimes the nature of the victim. By investigating the crime scene, a profiler may make educated guesses as to various aspects of the Unsub; race, age, mental state, social standing, etc. Based on this info, the profile may release a profile to local authorities or media in an effort to catch the perpetrator.
Criminal Minds
Most of the cast of Criminal Minds are profilers, with the exception of Penelope Garcia, who is an Audio/Visual expert.
Real Life Profilers
- Thomas Bond, medical doctor, 1880s; one of the first profilers to attempt to catch Jack the Ripper, worked closely with Inspector Frederick Aberline.
- Walter Langer, OSS agent, 1940s
- James Brussel, psychiatrist, 1940s-50s
- Howard Teten police officer, FBI agent, 1960s; co-founder of the BAU
- John Douglas, FBI agent, 1970s-80s, pioneer in Bevahioral Science
- Robert Ressler, FBI agent, 1970s-80s, partner of John Douglas
- David Canter, 1980s-90s, psychologist (England)