In the early 1970s the FBI began to apply the insights of psychological science to violent criminal behavior. In 1972, the FBI Academy launched a Behavioral Science Unit - later called the Behavioral Analysis Unit - which began looking for patterns in the behavior of serial rapists and killers. As a result, legendary figures such as John Douglas and Robert Ressler began conducting systematic interviews of serial killers like John Wayne Gacy, Ted Bundy, and Jeffrey Dahmer to gain insight into their modus operandi, motivations, and backgrounds. This collected information helped the FBI draw up profiles of violent criminals eluding law enforcement.
'Profiling The Criminal Mind' offers a fascinating insight into the pioneering days of FBI profiling by presenting three landmark publications written by members of National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime, at the FBI Academy.
1. Criminal Profiling: A Viable Investigative Tool Against Violent Crime by John Douglas & Alan Burgess.
2. Criminal Profiling From Crime Scene Analysis by John Douglas, Robert Ressler, Ann Burgess & Carol Hartman.
3. A Psychological Assessment of Crime Profiling by Richard Ault & James Reese.
Profiling The Criminal Mind has been produced as a PDF download as part of an initiative to make historically important publications widely available, the proceeds of which go towards running:
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A series of websites which have been providing free and comprehensive information and resources for students and educators for over 10 years.
Featured Expert Interview
Karen Franklin, PhD, is a forensic psychologist and an adjunct professor at Alliant University in San Francisco. She conducts ethics training for clinical and forensic professionals in the United States and internationally. Her published research – including on hate crime motivations, group rape and ethics in forensic diagnosis – garnered an award for Distinguished Scientific Achievement in Psychology. You can access the interview with Dr. Karen Franklin via the following link.
Interested in Criminal Profiling?
Based on the criminal profiling content covered on this website, 'Criminal Profiling: An Introductory Guide' is designed to let you dive straight into this fascinating topic. The guide provides clear and concise information on such things as the origins of criminal profiling, FBI profiling methodology and limitations; and whether becoming a profiler is a realistic career path.
If you are interested in criminal profiling and would like to learn more, 'Criminal Profiling: An Introductory Guide' is the perfect place to start. See following link for full details.
Criminal Profiling: An Introductory Guide
Did You Know?
Calling All Mindhunters
A must read for anybody who would like to learn more about the darkest recesses of the criminal mind.
This book traces the origins and development of behavioral science within the FBI which has kept the iconic U.S government department at the forefront of research into serial killers and the criminal mind for over 40 years.
Inside The Criminal Mind: Behavioral Science Insights From The FBI also showcases a series of landmark articles on criminal profiling, sexual homicide, school shooters and serial murder. You can buy this fascinating book on Amazon via the following link.
Inside The Criminal Mind: Behavioral Science Insights From The FBI
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