How To Be A Criminal Profiler

If you have seen shows like CSI or Criminal Minds, you have seen a little about how a criminal profiler works. A criminal profiler analyzes information from a crime scene and comes up with a behavioral and investigative profile of the criminal or perpetrator. A criminal profiler usually works for the FBI.

The FBI does not assign the title of actual criminal profilers, but rather has Special Agents at the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime (NCAVC) at Quantico, Virginia. These agents are criminal investigative analysts and work on federal and state investigations.

A criminal investigative analysts or profiler investigates all types of crimes including homicides, kidnappings, bombings, terrorism, serial rapes, child abductions and extortion to name a few. They perform tasks such as threat assessment, witness and suspect interviews, case strategy, trial preparation, research and training. Analysts use background information of the victim and the suspect, their intuition and reasoning along with knowledge of criminal behavior, and come up with a psychological and behavioral profile. They also assist in coordinating cases with local law enforcement agencies.

One of the basic requirements for working as a criminal investigative analyst with the FBI is completion of three years as an FBI special agent but they generally prefer agents with at least ten years experience in the FBI. Agents have a variety of backgrounds and education but must have previous experience investigating violent crimes.

If you are interested in this field, you must have a four-year degree. Candidates should have a degree in the field in the FBI that interests them.  Some recommended degrees for a criminal analysts or profiler would be an advanced degree in criminal justice, Psychology, Behavioral Science or Forensic Science.