Profession : Criminal Profiler

Thanks to films like The Silence of the Lambs and TV series such as Mindhunter, the profession of criminal profiler fascinates as much as it intrigues. But behind the myth of a detective with almost supernatural powers lies a complex profession requiring expertise in psychology, criminology, and behavioral analysis.

In this article, you are invited to discover behind the scenes to understand who criminal profilers really are and how their work can contribute to solving complex investigations.

Behavioral Sciences as an Investigative Tool

It must first be emphasized that criminal profiling is not an exact science. Indeed, when it comes to human behavior, there are neither absolute certainties nor universal truths. Individual psychology and resulting behaviors present countless variations, making definitive conclusions impossible. That is why, as profilers, we refrain from making any psychological diagnosis based solely on our observations.

Profiling should instead be viewed as a specialized tool available to investigators to help advance their inquiries. Although it is not an exact science, it is important to remember that most investigative techniques—such as bloodstain analysis, graphology, ballistics, and forensic odontology—are not exact sciences either. Each of these disciplines, while not 100% infallible, helps narrow the scope of investigations, guide hypotheses, and exclude or corroborate leads during investigations.

Criminal Profiling: A Two-Part Mission

Criminal investigations rely on close collaboration among several actors, where each expert applies their specialization to advance the search for truth.

The profiler’s work begins by analyzing the investigation as a whole. This first step involves examining the entire process carried out, then, in a second phase, developing a behavioral interpretation based on all facts, circumstances, actions, and evidence collected, covering the periods before, during, and after the criminal act.

A rigorous criminal analysis depends not only on the profiler’s expertise but also on the skills, experience, and observations of all parties who worked on the case before their involvement. Each specialist examines the crime elements through their specific lens, and the profiler, taking over, adopts a global perspective and brings new insight into each stage of the investigation.

Initially, we approach the investigation from various angles: forensics and its teachings, scientific examination of evidence, detective findings from the crime scene and interviews, victimology, and the geography of events.

From there, we move to the second step—behavioral analysis—focusing on the suspect’s interaction with the victim or crime scene before, during, and after the offense. Unlike the investigator, who must oversee all aspects of the investigation—be it forensic and physical evidence, legal considerations, crime scene or interviews—the profiler benefits from some latitude. They can devote themselves fully to the overall analysis without being subjected to the multiple responsibilities and pressures weighing on investigators, especially those coming from the public or media.

This privilege allows us, as behavioral analysts, to set aside some investigation aspects and concentrate exclusively on interpreting observed behaviors. We can thus delve deeper into each element of the case from the perspective of what it reveals about behavioral dynamics and, ultimately, the potential personality of the offender.

A Different Perspective That Points Toward the Right Suspect

An individual’s traits and characteristics generally manifest through their behavioral patterns. Whether in daily life or criminal acts, these patterns tend to remain relatively consistent throughout life. Thus, how a person acts, interacts with others, or manages their personal affairs will often be reflected in their behaviors, including during criminal acts.

Take the example of a particularly meticulous person: they constantly take notes, make lists for everything, keep their workspace organized, and have a well-structured agenda. We all know someone who fits this profile: methodical, rarely missing appointments or obligations, and showing exemplary rigor in their work. This type of behavior, a true modus operandi, repeats day after day in their daily life.

The profiler knows that these consistent personality traits are likely to be found in how the individual plans and executes a crime. It would be unlikely that such a person engages in criminal activity without preparation, suddenly abandoning their organizational habits. On the contrary, one would expect the crime to be meticulously planned, with particular attention to detail and preparation of necessary tools. The objects used during the crime were probably selected in advance to maximize the act’s effectiveness according to the perpetrator’s vision. Thus, it would be surprising to see such an organized person improvise at the crime scene or use found objects, so-called “opportunity weapons.” Such an individual would have anticipated their needs and brought all equipment required to carry out their plan.

In profiling, the best indicator of an individual’s future behavior remains their past behavior. The profiler’s work, however, consists of reasoning “backwards” from behaviors observed at the crime scene. It is about deducing the habits and personality traits of the suspect to track them down.

When a person has a history of violent behaviors, this is a strong indication that such acts have already occurred, to varying degrees, and could reoccur in the future.

This rule must be nuanced, however, as two factors can affect its validity: intoxication and mental illness. A normally organized person may, under the influence of severe intoxication or during a psychotic episode, exhibit disorganized and incoherent behavior.

Nonetheless, the experienced profiler can generally detect, through specific behavioral patterns observed at the crime scene, whether the offender was under the influence of substances or experiencing a psychotic crisis at the time of the offense.

Benefits of Using a Criminal Profiler in Unsolved Crimes

One of the main assets a profiler offers investigators is the ability to provide them with an in-depth understanding of the crime committed.

Generally, a profiler’s involvement occurs at a stage when the offender has not yet been identified. Their analysis does not necessarily aim to name a specific suspect but mainly to eliminate certain individuals from the suspect list and confirm the potential of other candidates.

Sometimes, a profiler is called upon even after a suspect has been identified. In such cases, their expertise helps investigators better understand the crime’s motive, circumstances, and suspect’s motivation, guiding interrogations and evidence gathering more effectively.

There is a common misconception that profilers have superior expertise to investigators in all fields of investigation. This perception is mistaken. Specialized investigators—whether in homicides, arson, fraud, or sexual crimes—have solid experience and proven competence in solving these cases. Their professional backgrounds attest to their know-how and deep knowledge of crimes motivated by rational reasons such as greed, revenge, or personal gain. Even if the crime’s nature is outside moral and social norms, it often remains logically comprehensible. The profiler’s intervention becomes particularly valuable when the behaviors observed at the crime scene escape this rational logic. When aspects of the crime or suspect’s behavior seem senseless or do not contribute to the offense’s commission, investigators may find themselves at a loss facing these unusual elements.

It is precisely in such situations—where the crime has aberrant or individualistic characteristics—that the profiler’s expertise proves valuable. By focusing on these atypical behaviors, the profiler can offer unique insight into the perpetrator’s personality and deep motivations, shedding light on aspects that may concern only this individual. These factors may reflect a personal need or impulse unique to the suspect, unrelated to the material success of the crime.

In summary, involving a profiler brings a fresh, individualized perspective to cases where traditional investigative methods reach their limits, enriching overall understanding and opening new investigative leads.

Specifically, What Elements Does a Profiler Identify?

During an investigation analysis, the profiler can highlight several key aspects guiding the inquiry. Among the likely identified elements are:

• Number of perpetrators involved: determining whether one or multiple individuals committed the crime.

  
  

• Motive of the crime: for example, is it a sexually motivated crime? It is important to note that not all sexually motivated crimes necessarily present explicitly sexual clues.

  
  

• Links between different cases: identifying similarities between cases that may indicate the involvement of the same offender, even if this connection was not previously detected.

  
  

• Analysis of potential triggers: studying behaviors observed at the crime scene and victimology to understand factors that may have precipitated the act.

  
  

• Establishment of a criminal profile: creating a detailed portrait of the suspect to be sought, including gender, origin, education level, marital status, mental health, physical condition, place of residence or employment, self-esteem, criminal history, means of transport, deviant behaviors, economic situation, consumption habits, possible disabilities, etc.

  
  

• Assessment of threat and dangerousness: estimating risk of recidivism, sometimes with the ability to predict where and how a new offense may occur.

  
  

• Proposal of interview and interrogation strategies: recommending approaches adapted to the suspect’s presumed personality, targeting factors likely to encourage cooperation and demystifying those that led to the breaking point.

  
  

• Management of multiple suspect arrests: identifying the individual most likely to cooperate with investigators to optimize the investigation’s effectiveness.

  
  

In short, the profiler’s work provides valuable, targeted insight facilitating the investigation’s progress and resolution.

The Process of Developing an Analysis and Profile

While each profiler may have their own methods, the general approach follows a structured process of several key steps.

The first phase is the physical analysis of the crime scene. This includes examining the body’s position, inflicted injuries, geography and immediate environment, along with study of scene photographs, autopsy reports and photos, laboratory results, and all collected physical evidence (objects found, murder weapon, fingerprints, footprints or tire tracks, etc.).

Next comes victimology—profiling the victim. Attention focuses not only on the suspect but also thoroughly on the victim, who can provide valuable information about the offender and their motives. Knowing the victim also helps better understand the criminal. Questions asked include the victim’s risk level, lifestyle habits, routines, spontaneity, typical stress responses, vulnerability or resilience, social circle, way of life, and any traits or characteristics that may have made them a preferred target for the aggressor. These elements help determine if the victim was specifically targeted or an opportunistic victim. This also aids understanding why they were chosen, how they may have reacted during the attack, and explains some behaviors or actions taken by the perpetrator at the time.

The third step analyzes behavioral characteristics observed at the scene, based on technical evidence and victimology. The scene is examined for signs of organization or disorganization, the offender’s modus operandi, and the presence of possible ritual, signature, or attempts to cover up or stage the crime.

It is common for a crime to start in an organized manner but then descend into improvisation depending on the victim’s reaction. Some criminals can adapt to the unexpected, while others quickly become destabilized. Sometimes, a mix of behaviors is observed: meticulous planning may turn into great disorganization during the getaway, for example. These observations from scene and victimology analysis help better understand the suspect’s personality, particularly their degree of organization, contributing to a fuller portrait of the potential offender.

In Conclusion…

Criminal profiling has become a valuable tool in complex investigations, especially unsolved cases where traditional methods sometimes reach their limits. Based on rigorous crime scene analysis, in-depth victimology understanding, and behavior interpretation, the profiler’s work not only helps better grasp offense dynamics but also effectively guides investigations.

Profiling relies on multidisciplinary collaboration and integration of data from various fields of expertise. Its contribution lies in the ability to exclude as well as confirm leads, anticipate future behaviors based on past patterns, and propose interrogation strategies adapted to the suspect’s personality.

By shedding light on perpetrators’ deep motivations, modus operandi, and individual peculiarities, the profiler helps refocus the investigation on what matters and offers new perspectives to investigators. Their unique focus on human behavior enriches the overall approach to criminal justice and ultimately supports the search for truth.

Thus, using criminal profiling does not replace traditional investigation work but complements it by adding a crucial human and behavioral dimension to solving the most enigmatic crimes.

Némésis offers criminal profiling services, polygraph testing, investigation, and investigative analysis to Quebec police forces, legal professionals, as well as any entity or citizen requiring specialized expertise in private investigation.