How to Become a Professional Profiler

Criminal profilers are keen observers.

Highly trained professionals, applying profiling methodology to crime scenes, analyze the nature of the crimes and the manner in which the criminal act was committed. The profiler attempts to determine personality traits of the offender by analyzing the criminal's choices and behavior before, during and after committing the crime. Using the information gleaned from this process, combined with physical evidence and relevant details, the profiler attempts to compare the criminal’s behavior with known mental abnormalities or personality types to develop a psychological profile of the offender. If you are intrigued by abnormal psychology and the workings of the deviant mind, employment as a professional profiler offers a challenging and rewarding career.

Instructions

1. Obtain a college degree. Although many community colleges and vocational training schools offer classes in law enforcement, the majority of law enforcement agencies that employ criminal profilers prefer to hire candidates with a master's degree or Ph.D. in forensics, psychology or criminal justice.

2. Apply for a position with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. The majority of criminal profilers work for the FBI and hold the title of special agent. To apply for the FBI, a candidate must be a United States citizen, between 23 and 27 years of age, have a clean criminal record and be drug free and free of any mental or physical handicaps that could impair job performance. The majority of profiler candidates are first employed by the FBI as agents for at least three years before acceptance into the National Analysis of Violent Crime School at Quantico, Virginia.

3. Seek a job in law enforcement. Many individuals, wishing to follow a career path as a criminal profiler first gain valuable experience working as a police officer, deputy or as an MP while serving in the United States military. They often pursue a master's degree or Ph.D. degree by attending classes part time while working full time in law enforcement.

4. Accept work in a related field. Employment in investigation, as a prison guard, morgue attendant, lab assistant or emergency medical technician provides insight and knowledge of human behavior. Volunteer at victim services offices, homeless shelters or disaster relief agencies. Any position or situation that allows you to observe the emotional and physical responses to stress in others provides valuable experience.

5. Work as an independent profiler. Independent profilers work for lawyers, or families of the victims of unsolved crimes. Criminal profilers act as expert witnesses in court cases. Profilers with a Ph.D. often working in teaching positions, educating various branches of law enforcement in the peculiarities of criminal behavior.

References

• Intelicus: Criminal Profiler Career
• American Psychological Association; Criminal Profiling -- The Reality Behind The Myth; Lea Winerman; July 2004