What is an fbi profiler

Behavioral Analysts — FBI

Making sense of the incomprehensible. That’s the specialty of the eight agents of the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit-2, or BAU-2.

Audio Transcript

Mollie Halpern: Making sense of the incomprehensible. That’s the specialty of the eight agents of the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit-2, or BAU-2. They get inside the twisted minds of serial murderers like Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, and John Allen Muhammed. The very names of these notorious killers incite fear and fascination, and their horrific acts attract the attention of the public, the media, and mental health experts.

Mark A Hilts: The type of cases we get involved in, the serial murder cases, the unusual, the bizarre cases, are the type of cases that most people, the average individual struggles to understand themselves. Why would somebody kill 10 different people over a year’s time period? What kind of person would chop somebody up or would carve something into a victim or would do some other bondage or other type activity? So it’s something that as normal human beings we struggle with, we don’t understand.

Halpern: I’m Mollie Halpern of the Bureau, and you’re listening to “Inside the FBI.” Coming up, get an inside look at the work of the agents Hollywood calls “profilers,” what it takes to become an agent in the BAU, and how they’re using their expertise in new ways.

But first—how the BAU evolved. Back in 1985, the FBI established the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime in the Bureau’s Behavioral Science Unit at the FBI Academy. Its continuing mission: to consolidate investigative and operational support with research and training in order to provide assistance to local law enforcement. Supervisory Special Agent and BAU-2 Unit Chief Mark Hilts…

Hilts: It’s looking at those types of cases that a police investigator doesn’t see every day: a child abduction, a serial murder, a serial rape case. The behavioral expertise of the agents became known as FBI profilers, and they were looking at the crime from the behavioral aspect. What I mean by that is they were focusing on the motivations of the offenders. What’s the meaning behind the activities at a crime scene? Why was a particular person victimized? Were they specifically targeted by this individual or were they simply a victim of opportunity in the wrong place at the wrong time?

Halpern:The Violent Criminal Apprehension Program database, or VICAP, was established in tandem with the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime. It helps connect the dots in cases involving solved and unsolved murders, sexual assaults, kidnappings, missing persons, and unidentified dead bodies.

Hilts: The idea being that if a murder is committed in California, and a murder is committed by the same offender in Florida, and there’s very similar behaviors at the crime scene, how are those two detectives going to know about each other? How are they going to know that that other case exists? So the idea is, if both those homicides are put into this database, then the crime analyst personnel at VICAP would helpfully match that and would tell those detectives and say, “You guys need to talk to each other and compare evidence. ”

Halpern: As the FBI’s mission evolved, so did the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime. These days, BAU is in the process of becoming four units, each with specific responsibilities. BAU-2 will continue to focus on providing support to local law enforcement when they are confronted with unusual violent crimes like serial murder, but will also apply their expertise to non-violent crimes.

Hilts:Right now, this year particularly, we are actually shifting our focus to more of an enhanced focus on those FBI cases with an emphasis on public corruption and white-collar crime.

Halpern: Whether it’s white-collar crimes or serial murder, fellow federal investigators and local law enforcement turn to BAU-2 because of the perspectives the agents bring to cases. It’s what makes the BAU so successful.

Hilts: The perspective that we look at in the Behavioral Analysis Unit is the behavior, it’s the motivations. It’s the “why” part of a criminal investigation that we are looking at. And because the type of cases we are looking at are generally a little bit more unusual, which is why somebody comes to us, that’s what we have to develop our expertise in is understanding those unusual cases, studying those serial killers, looking at hundreds of cases of serial killers and, in some cases, talking to them. We’ve done research and interviewed serial killers to understand why they do what they do so that we can help determine how we can catch them. That’s really the perspective that we bring is that behavioral side of the investigation.

Halpern: The BAU agents also bring their investigative case experience, education, and specialized training.

Hilts: Because we’re seeing cases from all over the country and literally all around the world, we’ve had the opportunity to see that kind of activity multiple times. We had the opportunity to see case after case that are unusual. We have the opportunity to see a dozen serial murder cases in a year, whereas your average police investigator may have one serial murder case in his career.

Halpern: Before an agent even enters the BAU, they’ve already had between seven to 10 years experience as an FBI agent.

Hilts:About half the agents in my squad are former police officers, so in addition to our FBI experience, we have state or local law enforcement investigative experience, and that’s what we find is extremely beneficial to our work here is having the practical investigative, hands-on investigative experience as FBI agents and/or as state and local police officers in conducting the investigation.

Halpern: Hilt began his law enforcement career as a police officer in Texas.

Hilts: After several years of experience there I got the itch to try my lot in the FBI. I considered the FBI to be the best, to be the best law enforcement agency in the world, and I wanted to see, could I be one of the best? So, that led me to the FBI.

Halpern: Even with experience in local law enforcement and the FBI, BAU agents must still go through additional training, which can last up to two years.

Hilts:It’s a two-part training process. Phase one is a classroom. It’s about 16 weeks long of classroom instruction from both internal and outside experts. When someone has completed that, then they go into phase two, which is kind of a period of mentorship, and they work cases in all three different BAUs so they can get a broad range of experience and all the units’ responsibilities

Halpern: A crime analyst and a major case specialist are also part of the unit. And, the BAU works closely with the FBI Lab. The unit reaches outside of the Bureau for expertise as well. For example, BAU works with forensic psychologists and psychiatrists from Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Hilts: We have an outside board of scientific and academic experts that work with us to ensure that our research is valid and is scientifically and academically accepted. We can also review and assemble the research that others have conducted on that particular crime topic. We can then be in a position to have as much information about that type of crime as possible.

Halpern:The BAU provides at least a dozen services to local law enforcement, and each one is tailored to the individual case. They collaborate on cases with the locals, unlike the way BAU is portrayed on popular shows like CBS’ Criminal Minds.

Hilts:We’re going to come out, we’re going to meet with them, we’re going to talk with them, we’re going to provide them our assistance, but we do not take over the case. The case remains their case. It’s not a matter of, “The feds are here we are in charge.” It does not work like that at all. We’re there at their request and at their assistance. They’re going to be the ones that actually solve the case. They’re the ones that are the true heroes and the true people in the front line. We work kind of once removed from the cases. We are not dealing with what the front line detectives have to deal with, so we’re kind of removed. And we kind of look at the cases clinically as much as we can and try not to get emotionally involved, which I suppose may sound somewhat cold, but if we get emotionally involved with every single case we work, we frankly wouldn’t be very effective.

Halpern: BAU agents will review case materials like crime scene photos and reports which the local law enforcement already prepared.

Hilts: We’ll read through it, and again that’s the part that you don’t see in movies and TV. The hours and hours that our agents spend just simply sitting at their desks reading offense reports. We always try to get multiple people involved. We don’t do one agent one case. There will be a case agent assigned, but he will be supported by other agents and other members of our unit and/or outside experts as needed in reviewing the case.

Halpern: The BAU then presents local law enforcement a report of its conclusions, assessments, and advice.

Hilt: And frankly, they can take it or leave it.

Halpern: And when they take it and it helps solve a case, Hilts says his work is especially rewarding.

Hilts: I just really have found myself fascinated by the opportunity to study, understand, and provide assistance in what are really the most interesting cases that come to the attention of law enforcement. Personally, it’s very rewarding to work these types of cases, to be involved in these types of cases. And, to be involved, even sometimes to a small degree in the resolution in a significant serial murder or other bizarre case. It keeps you going on the next cases, because the cases we do see are also really the most horrible cases, and the activities that we see are often times very brutal, and it can be tough from time to time to deal with that, but for the most part, myself and the other agents that are here recognize that that’s part of the price of solving the cases.

Halpern: The Behavioral Analysis Units—providing perspectives to the most disturbing of cases. Thanks for listening to “Inside the FBI.”

FBI Profiler

FBI Profiler or Criminal Profiler

The media and online landscape is full of utterly fraudulent information about the purported "FBI Profiler" or "Criminal Profiler" position. Since my Special Agent Blog deals with reality and I am trying to provide accurate, realistic and useful information for criminal investigator applicants, I must regretfully inform you of the following hard truth:

There is NO SUCH thing as a criminal profiler per se, even though Hollywood has continued to perpetuate this crazy myth! You can search USA Jobs until you get carpal tunnel syndrome and will never see a vacancy announcement for "FBI Profiler," EVER!! In fact, the most sure-fire way to lose credibility as an applicant is to tell a special agent recruiter that you want to be a "profiler."

There are indeed a limited number of positions within the FBI at the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime (Behavioral Analysis Unit) but they are based on statistical research & analysis, not psychic flashes; and often primarily staffed by very senior PHD level federal employees. Additionally, there is a very small cadre of special agents from FBI and ATF that are assigned to the Behavioral Analysis Unit or BAU to provide national support for investigations involving bombings, arson, mass murders and other unsolved serial cases & even non-violent investigations. These senior level special agent billets reflect the .0001% of the available special agent positions and require extensive career experience prior to consideration for assignment. This unit is the closest thing to the mythical "profiler" but their job is more akin statistical research, training, best policy practices, and case support (does that sound exciting to you?). And oh yeah, your chances of making it there as a special agent are beyond remote.

If you think you can get hired by the FBI and get assigned to the BAU because you are *so* "passionate, qualified, or special," then I must additionally inform you of the following: The FBI is a federal bureaucracy that hires new special agents to be just that: SPECIAL AGENTS. This is a federal law enforcement position that will require you to contribute to the primary mission of the FBI which involves National Security, Counterintelligence, Major Fraud & other General Crimes. As a new FBI Special Agent you would be one of 14,000 special agents and among the most inexperienced. As a special agent trainee, you will likely execute this mission by doing as your told, conducting surveillances, documenting investigative data on reports, drafting and executing search warrants and testifying in court, etc. At this stage in your nascent career, you are more likely to accidentally end up on the International Space Station than at the BAU. Yes, the idea of YOU; Mr/Mrs. Nobody Special Agent ending up as one of the small cadre of experienced special agents at the Behavioral Analysis Unit is that preposterous.

Now, if the career of an FBI Special Agent interests you (all that federal law enforcement stuff), you put in your dues for a minimum of 10-15 years; and you are miraculously one of the top criminal investigators in the country with several successful high profile cases, then maybe. ..just maybe, you might have an opportunity to get reassigned to the BAU at Quantico. If after all that hard work you miraculously make it to the BAU at Quantico, your days will involve statistical reviews, case file analysis, revision of training programs and on occasion, field level support. Notice how I did not mention a private jet, psychic flashes or chasing endless serial killers across the country on a moments notice....

Now, there have been a number of trainees who joined the FBI thinking that one day they would "work their way" to becoming "FBI Profilers" at the BAU, only to realize that it was a virtual pipe dream. These folks didn't really like the basic job description of a special agent and only treated it as a means to an end. Additionally, many of these "profiler" wannabes simply did not understand the government bureaucracy. As special agents we see these types of applicants all the time and they are often dismissed as lacking a foundation in reality.

Case in point, Bryanna Fox. She was actually a PHD Graduate that worked as a Visiting Research Fellow at the FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit for several years. She went on to join the FBI as a Special Agent and worked as a street agent in Las Vegas, NV, just like any regular probationary agent for the next 14 months. She was likely assigned to Las Vegas, NV, as that was one of the only slots available to her based on her class ranking. Then she simply quit after experimenting as an FBI special agent for 14 months. Even with her PHD credentials and specialized experience at the BAU as a researcher, she did not get assigned to Quantico! At some point she probably realized that nobody was going to tap her on the shoulder and ask her to run off on a private jet with the Deputy Director to solve some mysterious serial killing (Note: This is pure comedic conjecture on my part as I have no idea what led to her departure from the FBI). She is now an assistant professor who is routinely marketed by the media as an "FBI Profiler," which is obviously beyond inaccurate; since I just explained to you that there is no such thing as an "FBI Profiler. "

Look, I enjoy Hollywood for its entertainment value. However, it must be noted that they take some concepts to the exaggerated extreme which tend to develop inaccurate perceptions of reality among the public. For example, Mindhunters is a fantastically entertaining series on Netflix; but the majority of the depictions are grossly inaccurate; but that is OK since a TV show is meant to entertain not inform. You should not be watching Mindhunters thinking, "thats what its like to be an FBI agent." For accurate information you are welcome to keep researching this blog.

At this point, you must be wondering why then do so many TV shows, movies, internet articles and news reports disproportionately focus on this "mythical" FBI Profiler position. Unfortunately, due to the large amount of public attention that the term "FBI Profiler" has received, many ex-agents peddling books or other commercial services have similarly adopted this phrase, even though it is grossly inaccurate. The simple truth is that they are all making money off of gullible people and this true crime genre. Yes, selling the "FBI Profiler" myth is extremely profitable as it sells ad revenue and generates website traffic. Additionally, many of these career sites are inputting these short BS articles about the "FBI Profiler" position, getting thousands of "hits," and then letting that segway into regurgitated information about the Special Agent application process. This has created the inaccurate perception among applicants who are doing their due diligence research online; that there is indeed such a profiler position available; when in reality that is far from accurate. If you come across a website that markets the position of "FBI Profiler" or "Criminal Profiler," I urge to you leave immediately and never return to that entire site again as they likely peddle in garbage.

If you are truly interested in becoming an 1811 federal law enforcement officer and find all my agency profile pages byond interesting; then you should indeed apply to become a Special Agent for the FBI or any other agency that you find interesting. If however, you want to "get in the mind of a serial killer," go get a PHD in the relevant field, apply to be a researcher at a university and then maybe land a job at the BAU at the FBI. That is much more realistic path than applying to a special agent vacancy in order to become an "FBI Profiler."

I sincerely apologize for killing this Santa Claus.

Who are profilers? | Behavior Hunters

It is widely believed that the specialty profiler, before leaking into the business community, appeared in aviation security, but this can be argued. Who were the first profilers anyway? And where did this name come from?

Remember the famous movie The Silence of the Lambs? And the main question of the whole film is “Why does he kill?” - this is the very question, the answer to which leads to the disclosure of the crime. Only an investigator-profiler (profiler) can answer it. We will talk about them - people of a unique profession who put psychological science at the service of the search. Profilers are those who recreate the psychological appearance of the killer on the basis of evidence, signs and signs, sometimes seemingly irrelevant to the case.

Read an interview with Anna Kulik in which she explains what profiling is and who profilers are.

For us, the most interesting thing is that the characters of The Silence of the Lambs have real prototypes. Clarice Starling worked for the FBI in the behavioral (psychological analysis of behavior) department, which was headed by Jack Crawford. His prototype John Douglas founded the real department of behavioral science. In the late 70s of the XX century, he was the first in the world to introduce psychology into the practice of searching for cases of murders - inexplicable, serial, particularly cruel, or in any way related to sexual motives. While working at the FBI National Academy, he independently explored the possibilities of using psychology in forensic science: he studied the statistics of serial murders in the United States, communicated with convicts. He tried to understand the pattern: who and why commits heinous crimes. The FBI leadership took notice of this work, and Douglas headed the "Personal Crime Profiling" research program. The term "profiler" appeared (from the English profile - "psychological profile"). And the profession itself. Thanks to the work of profilers, the first serial killer, David Carpenter, was arrested in the United States at the end of 1979 years old.

Today, the method of solving crimes by creating a psychological portrait (profile) is recognized by most of the world's forensic scientists, and the FBI's Behavioral Department is more than 300 cases annually received by dozens of investigators-profilers. From 60 to 80% of criminal cases submitted for consultation to this department are solved. In 67% of cases, the created psychological portrait coincides with the real appearance of the criminal. The FBI Academy in Quantico (USA) and its branches in Budapest (Hungary) and Bangkok (Thailand) train professionals from different countries. Some employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia also underwent an 8-week training. The main goal of profiler research, wherever they work, is to find out why people become serial killers, to understand what drives them and what should be the methods of investigation in cases of this kind.

The work of profilers has become a real Klondike for novelists, screenwriters and directors. In cinema, investigators "with a psychological bias" are increasingly reserved for the main roles.

“Most profilers don't go to the scene of a crime,” says Oleg Brodchenko, psychologist, police colonel, head of the research group on the problems of psychological support for the disclosure and investigation of crimes at the All-Russian Research Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. “We are studying photos from the scene, forensic reports, and working with information on other crimes. Not only the details are important for us, but also the method and order of the criminal's actions. We analyze, compare the facts and draw up his psychological portrait.”

Profilers describe character traits, personality traits, behavior of the offender, make assumptions about his age, race, gender, marital and official status, sexual maturity, name his habits, inclinations, describe style: in everyday life, relationships with the victim, predict the next steps . Many profilers have their own individual approach to business.

Micki Pistorius, one of the few female profilers in the world, works for the South African police. She cannot imagine an effective investigation without action directly at the scene of the crime. Pistorius, Ph.D., graduated from the FBI Academy, but her first profession is a journalist. Perhaps, in her individual method, the reporter's desire to be present at the epicenter of the event is reflected. She needs to "get into the shoes" of the killer. That is how she uncovered the “Phoenix case”, which killed women in the fields of sugar cane.

“I arrived at the scene of the crime and decided to walk through the field,” says Miki. “It was just swarming with snakes, insects… I felt uneasy, but I went ahead because I wanted to feel the same that the killer felt, to inhale the smells that he inhaled, to hear the same sounds. It is very important to go all the way of the criminal in order to understand what he was thinking at that moment and what he planned to do. Without this, you will not catch the course of his thoughts, his state. And then at the scene of the murder, he smoked 15 cigarettes: he felt safe, he was well oriented in the area. The victim's shoes were neatly set aside. Perhaps the killer is a perfectionist, it is important for him to leave the crime scene in perfect order. If so, then he is like that in life: he has order at home and he monitors his appearance. The killer worked his way through the field, cutting the reeds. The nature of the cut from the knife - typical of some local tribes - put Miki on the trail of a killer from among the Zulu people. She accurately described his profile, and the perpetrator was found. Investigator Pistorius' method is largely based on intuition. Unlike most of her colleagues, they tend to rely on logic and data analysis in similar cases.

Knowledge of the intricacies of psychology allows profilers not only to help in the search for murderers, but also to extract confessions from them - already arrested. American investigator Robert Keppel (Robert Keppel) tells about the tactics of conducting one interrogation: “An 11-year-old girl disappeared in Canada. It was known that some man invited her to sit in his car. The suspect was arrested. It was necessary to go to the trick to get his confession. I asked the police to contact me when the body was found. I needed to know what he had done to the girl. It turned out that she was strangled, raped, her face was severely beaten. Then the offender only sprinkled the head of the victim with earth; the body remained on the surface. I assumed that the killer was very angry, but he did not have the courage to turn his rage on the one who caused his anger, and he chose a defenseless child. During interrogation, it turned out that on the day of the murder, his girlfriend kicked him out. She was a slender woman of small stature. Maybe her refusal and pushed him to kill? I caught on to this assumption and tried to convince him that I understand: his anger was justified, moreover, the girl herself could be to blame for what happened to her. It was those words that provoked him, made him relive the fit of anger that I had hoped for. And he confessed."

Source

Learn more about profiling and its techniques, you can from the materials of the "Hunters for behavior"

90,000 how to become a profilist of the FBI • Buom

July 23, 2021

If you want work in law enforcement, consider working for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This organization offers many career opportunities, including as a criminal profiler. To start a career as an FBI agent, you must learn the skills and experience required for this specialized job.

In this article, we will explain how to become an FBI profiler, including the educational and professional requirements you need to start this career, tips to help you through the process, and FAQs to help you get started.

What is an FBI profiler?

The FBI Profiler is a national agent who works in the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) of the National Violent Crime Analysis Center (NCAVC) in Quantico, Virginia. The FBI does not use the popular term "Profiling Specialist", but instead refers to the position as "Supervisory Special Agent". These highly trained agents use their knowledge of criminal psychology and crime-solving experience to work with other government agencies and law enforcement agencies to investigate cases that affect national security. These agents use evidence and research to investigate and analyze criminal behavior.

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What does the FBI profiler do?

Here are the most common duties of an FBI profiler:

Use historical evidence and technical analysis tools to explain and predict serial criminal activity.
Interrogate suspects, witnesses and other industry professionals
Assess the behavior of people in groups and individuals to identify patterns and indicators
Draw conclusions about criminal activity using previous field experience, statistics and probabilities
Write interview, research, and analysis reports to document findings and share your thoughts with others
Collaborate with multiple FBI and law enforcement agencies to share information to help analyze evidence and apprehend violent criminals.

How to Become an FBI Profiler

Becoming an FBI profiler agent requires years of specialized training and experience as the role is considered a senior position. Here are the steps you can take to apply for this position:

1. Get a bachelor's degree

You must have a bachelor's degree to be considered an FBI candidate and start working as an entry-level agent. While no specific degree program is required, most agencies recommend relevant fields such as psychology, sociology, or criminology. Even programs such as mathematics or political science help build the analytical skills needed to work as a profiler.

2. Gain work experience and life skills

Work in a position related to your degree for at least three years before applying to the FBI. Since the application process usually takes at least a year, you may need a way to support yourself as you go through the stages of becoming an agent. You can also continue your education to earn an advanced degree, such as a master's degree in criminology or sociology, which can be an advantage later in your career as an agent.

3. Qualify to become an FBI agent

To qualify and qualify as a Profiler, you must be hired and trained as an FBI Special Agent. To be initially hired by the FBI, you must be a US citizen between the ages of 23 and 36 with a distinguished history of citizenship and financial responsibility.

4. Go through the nine steps of the application process to become an FBI Special Agent.

The FBI agent application process consists of nine steps that can lead to your placement with the agency. Here are the steps:

Application and Verification: Submit your resume and college transcripts through the online application portal on the official FBI website. You must use the federal resume template in the original application.
Phase One Testing: In this phase, you take a three-hour, five-section assessment exam that tests logical reasoning, imaginative reasoning, personality, preferences and interests, and situational judgments. You can test up to two times before your app is deactivated.
Additional Required Information: After you pass the first round of testing, the FBI will notify you electronically to complete the Physical Fitness, Critical Skills and Language Selection Self-Assessment. You must complete this part of the application and submit the form before moving on.
Meet and Greet Verification Process: The next step is a face-to-face interview that assessors use to verify the information you provided on your application.
Test Phase Two: The next test session includes a written test and a formal interview. As for the written part, you have two and a half hours to read and analyze the data and write two well-written reports. Don't forget to dress in formal business attire for part two, which is a panel interview with three agents who ask questions based on FBI Special Agent competencies.
Fitness Test: During the physical test, you complete a series of exercises including a 1.5-mile run, pull-ups, push-ups, squats, and a 300-meter sprint. The FBI offers a "Fit Test App" for your phone, as well as a digital guide with practice exercises to help you practice and prepare for the exam.
Conditional Offer of Appointment: After passing the physical fitness test, candidates receive a formal offer of appointment, which is conditional based on prior research and further training. After you receive a conditional assignment, you have five days to accept or decline the offer.
Background Investigation: In this step, you undergo a thorough background check, including interviews with past and present associations, a lie detector test, a drug test, and a physical examination. Upon completion, you will receive the top-secret security clearance required to become an FBI Special Agent. The entire process can take up to 18 months.
Basic Field Training: The last step to becoming an active Special Agent is to complete 19weeks of intensive training at the FBI Academy. For five months, you take courses in law, investigative practice, ethics, forensics and behavioral sciences. You also receive training in firearms, surveillance, tactical driving, undercover work, and defensive techniques.

5. Working as an unsupervised agent

Before you can take the position of supervised special agent at the BAU, you need to gain experience. You can be assigned to a local office anywhere in the world. Once you have worked as an agent, you will be able to move on to a position with the NCAVC.

Specific areas such as terrorism and counter-terrorism, crimes against adults, and missing persons cases can help you gain investigative experience, which is an important qualification for Supervisory Special Agents. You can also enroll in special training programs offered by the FBI to prepare for a profiler position while working at the NCAVC.

6. Apply for a position with the BAU

Experts suggest getting seven to 15 years of experience as a special agent before applying for service with the BAU. Because working at the BAU as an agent profiler is considered a supervisory role, extensive previous FBI experience is the only way to achieve this position. Applicants who apply for this division are selected based on their qualifications, training and other factors determined by the roles available at a particular time.

Tips for becoming an FBI profiler

Here are some tips to help you get a job as an FBI profiler:

Embrace the values of the FBI. Embody the FBI core competencies of collaboration, communication, adaptability/flexibility, initiative, interpersonal ability, leadership, organization/planning, and problem solving/judgment.
Continue your education. Earn a degree in a related field. Earning a master's degree and even a doctorate in areas such as forensic science or psychology can set you apart as a highly qualified candidate when you apply to join the BAU.
Get in shape. Train your body for strength, endurance and speed to prepare for the FBI fitness test.
Contact your local employment office with questions. FBI field offices are located in major US cities. Before you begin the application process, it may be helpful to make an appointment to speak with an agent or recruiter in your area.
Use practice tests provided by the FBI. The FBI website offers practice questions with explanations of correct and incorrect answers to help potential agents prepare for both the first and second rounds of testing.

FBI Profiler FAQ

The following are frequently asked questions for those who want to become an FBI Profiler:

What is the working environment for an FBI Profiler?

The FBI requires agents to work at least 50 hours a week and be available on call 24 hours a day. You can work on the computer doing research in your office during the morning hours and later in the day at the crime scene. Supervisory special agents (profilers) also submit reports and coordinate investigations within the agency, with other government agencies and law enforcement agencies.

You are expected to maintain optimal health and fitness, handle firearms and use force when necessary. Those who choose to become an agent profiler must have the mental and physical strength and stamina to excel in this type of work, as the environment can become fast-paced and critical in the event of a national security crisis.

How long does it take to become an FBI profiler?

Depending on your educational path and career, it may take you seven to 15 years before you are accepted for a position at the BAU to get this job. The application process for special agent status takes a year or more, and most profilers work as agents in the field or with the NCAVC before being hired as a supervising special agent.

Are there any vision requirements for FBI Special Agents?

Yes, the FBI has vision requirements that all agents must meet. You should have 20/20 vision in one eye and at least 20/40 vision in the other.

Do you need law enforcement or military experience to become an FBI profiler?

No, you do not need to have law enforcement or military experience to be an FBI profiler. The FBI is looking for people from different backgrounds to join the agency. However, some would-be agents choose to attend a law enforcement academy to gain experience in crime investigation and management.

Learn more