What makes a good criminal profiler

Using these models can help criminal profilers conduct work in cases such as rapes, murders and arsons. As part of crime action profiling, criminal profilers also study the process of profiling to establish a baseline for the kind of information that needs to be included in an accurate criminal profile. A successful criminal profiler must be able to effectively analyze a variety of evidence from a crime scene. This includes photographs from a crime scene, as well as photos of victims and other evidence.

Through this information, the profiler can create a profile of a suspect that is comprised of such characteristics as age, sex, race, weight, height and psychological condition. Sometimes criminal profilers use investigative psychology to conduct their work. This involves being able to studying theories, hypotheses and behavior characteristics of a possible suspect. Investigative psychology was spearheaded by environmental psychologists, including Dr. David Canter. While the adventure of solving crimes may tempt you to consider a career as a criminal profiler, keep in mind that the job is detail-oriented, involving methodical examination of often distasteful, violent materials.

Profilers apply the scientific method to crime scene evidence to make hypotheses about a criminal's physical characteristics, habits and psychological traits. A thirst for adventure alone will not make you a good profiler -- you also have to be methodical, diligent, persistent and reliable. Profilers must have a drive to acquire knowledge, the discipline to complete an advanced degree and the curiosity necessary to learn new subject areas as the situation dictates.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation typically looks for profilers who have earned degrees in psychology, sociology and criminology. In addition to knowing the intricacies of the criminal mind, a profiler must understand the criminal justice system, know how to apply the scientific method to criminal investigation and understand evidence collection and processing methods.

Often a profiler receives an old case, after traditional crime-solving techniques have failed, according to The Pat Brown Criminal Profiling Agency. Learn how to apply and rank criminal assessment measures. Students administer, score, and interpret data results that are currently used in criminal forensic procedures.

Included in these tests are risk assessment, mental state during a criminal offense, competency, and psychopathology. Students learn typical developmental landmarks in relation to age, from the prenatal stage through adulthood. Such stages include: prenatal, infancy, toddlerhood, childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Examine accepted theories of aggressive criminal behavior and mentalities.

Current classification models are used to analyze various viewpoints from cognitive, psychodynamic, social learning, and behavioral theories. To illustrate these theories, case studies are used to facilitate such applications. Additionally, issues such as sex crimes, delinquency and substance abuse may also be explored.

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