Criminal Profiler
Sandra Carfiro
What is a Criminal Profiler?
A criminal profiler compiles characteristics of the unknown criminal based on patterns, evidence from crime scenes, and more. They then use these characteristics to create a profile that helps identify the criminal.
How is this Field Used in Forensics?
Criminal profiling is used in forensics to help identify the criminal and convict them. They create profiles that are often assisted by the use of evidence from crime scenes. Profiling heavily relies on forensic science in order to build a case that would hold up in court.
Education/Work Experience Needed:
- A Bachelors degree in criminal justice, psychology, forensics, or a related field
- Also, enroll in a law enforcement academy
- To be in the BAU (Behavioral Analysis Unit) usually needs 7-15 years of investigative experience
Actual Criminal Case:
George Metesky (the Mad Bomber)
George Metesky planted at least 33 bombs over New York City within the 1940s-1950s. Metesky was injured while working for Consolidated Edison and denied workers compensation. His first bomb was placed on the ledge of a Consolidated Edison building. New York City police asked James A. Brussel, a counterintelligence profiler during WWII and the Korean War to help.
Brussel's Profile:
- a foreign born male of eastern European descent
- between 40 and 50
- a bachelor living with female relatives
- clean-shaven, neatly dressed man with athletic build
- a textbook paranoid
They went to Metesky's house and he matched the profile almost completely, proving how useful they can be.
George Metesky
The Mad Bomber
John E. Douglas
John E. Douglas was one of the first pioneers of criminal profiling.
James A. Brussel
The criminal profiler for the Mad Bomber case.
Works Cited
Blore, Jocelyn. “Requirements for How to Become a Criminal Profiler.” Forensics Colleges, 2015, www.forensicscolleges.com/blog/htb/how-to-become-criminal-profiler.
Douglas, J E, and M Burgess. “Criminal Profiling - a Viable Investigative Tool against Violent Crime | Office of Justice Programs.” Www.ojp.gov, 1986, www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/criminal-profiling-viable-investigative-tool-against-violent-crime.
eLawTalk. “Forensic Psychology vs. Criminal Psychology: What’s the Difference?” ELawTalk.com, 1 Feb. 2022, elawtalk.com/forensic-psychology-vs-criminal-psychology/.
“Incendiary Explores How a Psychiatrist Changed Policing.” South China Morning Post, 2 June 2017, www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/books/article/2096471/incendiary-explores-how-psychiatrist-dr-james-brussel.
Lambert, Laura . “George Metesky | American Terrorist.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 2019, www.britannica.com/biography/George-Metesky.
Mitchell, Molli. “Mindhunter Season 2: The Case That Haunts FBI Agent John E.Douglas.” Express.co.uk, 6 Oct. 2020, www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1166740/Mindhunter-season-2-FBI-agent-John-Douglas-The-Toolbox-Killers-Bittaker-and-Norris-Netflix. Accessed 7 Sept. 2023.
Nast, Condé. “Watch the Mad Bomber Who Terrorized Manhattan | the New Yorker Video | CNE | Newyorker.com.” The New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2018, www.newyorker.com/video/watch/the-mad-bomber-who-terrorized-manhattan.
University of Central Florida. “What Is Criminal Profiling and It’s Role in Law Enforcement?” UCF Online, University of Central Florida, 7 Oct. 2021, www.ucf.edu/online/criminal-justice/news/what-is-criminal-profiling-and-what-is-its-role-in-law-enforcement/.