Hit TV shows like “Criminal Minds” and “Law & Order” put criminal profilers on the cultural map and sparked widespread interest in one of the most intriguing professions in criminal justice.

But the act of analyzing criminal behavior began long before David Rossi made his debut on national television. Informal criminal profiling dates as far back as ancient Rome and officially started taking hold in 1888 after two London physicians evaluated autopsy reports and crime scene evidence to construct a profile on Jack the Ripper.^1,2  Since then, criminal profilers have become key players in the fight against crime.

But what does a criminal profiler do, exactly? And what does it take for aspiring criminal profilers to become one? Let’s find out.

What Is a Criminal Profiler?

Criminal profilers are highly trained specialists who use a blend of forensic psychology and in-depth analysis to help investigators identify, apprehend, and prosecute criminals. Criminal psychology and forensic psychology are essential fields to study for the profession.

In practice, a criminal profile can perform a handful of vital tasks, such as:

• Evaluating physical evidence at crime scenes 
• Searching for patterns in serial crimes, like a “signature” left behind
• Compiling and comparing information from similar crimes
• Predicting the lifestyle characteristics, habits, and routines of unidentified persons through offender profiling
• Creating a profile of a criminal based on their behavioral, biological, and personality traits³
• Building interview techniques to prompt suspects to cooperate or confess during a criminal investigation
• Consulting on the “probable cause” in a search warrant or affidavit
• Determining where to find the criminal and anticipating how they may react
• Acting as an expert in court to describe the crime scene and evidence

These methods are most common in cases of serious crimes, such as serial murders, serial arson, kidnappings, cybercrimes, extortion, and terrorism. They’re incredibly effective, too: Jeffrey Dahmer, the Unabomber, and Ted Bundy are just three dangerous offenders who were found and convicted through criminal profiling.⁴

Criminal Profiler Education Requirements

If you’ve been asking, “How can I become a criminal profiler,” keep in mind that few law enforcement agencies advertise positions as “criminal profilers.” For example, criminal profiling in the FBI is conducted by Supervisory Special Agents who are employed at the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) at the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime.

Instead, criminal profilers typically start as rookie FBI agents or officers in a law enforcement agency before receiving training in criminal profiling and psychology.⁵

That said, there’s no one single or direct path to becoming a criminal profiler, and how this journey unfolds may depend on you, your experience, and your employer. However, individuals may:

• Obtain a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as forensics or behavioral science, psychology, or criminal justice (the FBI, for one, requires an undergraduate degree)
• Pursue an advanced degree, such as a Master’s in Forensic Behavioral Science or a doctorate in psychiatry, psychology, counseling, or a similar discipline

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Essential Skills for Criminal Profiling

A combination of hard and soft skills is the secret behind successful criminal profilers. This includes social awareness, diligence, and determination, as well as:⁶

• Strong analytical thinking
• Effective communication
• Refined active listening skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• High levels of fitness and physical stamina

Additionally, criminal profilers may have to deal with crimes that are extremely upsetting. For this reason, objectivity—or the capacity to assess a situation fairly and without getting emotionally involved—is critical during a crime scene analysis.

Steps to Becoming a Criminal Profiler

Some law enforcement agencies (perhaps your local police academy) may only require a high school diploma or GED. Yet, the knowledge you’ll gain by pursuing a higher degree might prove to be invaluable. If you choose this route, your journey to becoming a criminal profiler after obtaining your undergraduate degree may look like this:

• Complete training at a law enforcement academy
• Gain practical experience in the investigative field and/or law enforcement
• Earn an advanced degree (either before or while becoming a criminal profiler)

Further, some criminal profilers join professional organizations to stay up-to-date on the latest offender profiling tools, criminal profiling techniques, and technologies.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities of a Criminal Profiler

The life of a criminal profiler might not be as glamorous as TV shows and movies suggest, but their day-to-day responsibilities may have their fair share of excitement. In addition to the general obligations outlined above, a criminal profiler’s job description may include:⁷

• Reconstruct the events of a crime
• Geographically track crimes
• Interview witnesses and suspects
• Study the background of victims and identify potential motives
• Analyze data
• Write reports
• Consult with law enforcement

All of this, and more, is done to construct comprehensive profiles of criminals and bring them to justice.

Start Your Journey at Alliant International University

Criminal profilers play a critical role in the quest to create a safer world. Not only do they assist with identifying potential suspects, but they may also help keep crimes from happening.

If the profession calls to you, it’s important to know that how to become a criminal profiler starts with learning the complexities of why people commit crimes and the intricacies of the human mind. At Alliant International University, you can dive deeper into these topics.

The Alliant Master’s of Science in Forensic Behavioral Science provides students with a thorough understanding of mental health and human behavior and gives them the tools they need to explore offenders from a social, motivational, and psychological perspective. Led by an experienced faculty, the program is designed for working professionals who want to take their knowledge to a new level.

Explore what might await in the field of forensic behavioral science with Alliant.

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Sources:

1. “Criminal Profiling.” Criminal Profiling - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics, 2023. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/social-sciences/criminal-profiling. Accessed June 25, 2024. 
2. Bond, Scott A. “Criminal Profiling: The Original Mind Hunter.” Psychology Today, December 4, 2017. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/wicked-deeds/201712/criminal-pr…. Accessed June 25, 2024. 
3. Weedmark, David. “What Does a Criminal Profiler Do?” Chron, March 1, 2019. https://work.chron.com/criminal-profiler-do-5420.html. Accessed June 25, 2024. 
4. Cassick, Callie, and Fox News. “Criminal Profiling: The Techniques Used by Police to Catch Dangerous Offenders.” Fox News, March 28, 2024. https://www.foxnews.com/us/true-crime-criminal-profiling. Accessed June 25, 2024. 
5. Williams, Ellie. “How to Get a Job in Criminal Profiling.” Work, November 21, 2017. https://work.chron.com/job-criminal-profiling-24546.html. Accessed June 25, 2024. 
6. How to become a criminal profiler (with steps and salary) | indeed.com, June 20, 2024. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-become-a…. Accessed June 25, 2024. 
7. What does a criminal profiler do? - job description & salary. Accessed June 25, 2024. https://learn.org/articles/what_does_a_criminal_profiler_do_-_job_descr…. Accessed June 25, 2024.