NCJ Number
204936
Date Published
2004
Length
438 pages
Annotation
This book offers an account of the history and the work done at the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Behavioral Science Unit (BSU).
Abstract
Since its inception in 1972, the FBI’s BSU has been perfecting the art and science of criminal profiling. It was established as a teaching unit in the early 1970’s before criminal profiling was considered an effective crime investigation technique. Today the mission of the BSU is to (1) develop relevant training, research, and consultation in the behavioral and social sciences in order to improve the effectiveness of the law enforcement community; (2) create specialized knowledge and conduct applied research on significant law enforcement issues; and (3) provide consultation services to law enforcement upon request. The BSU continues to offer specialized and applied training to members of the law enforcement community. BSU staff also engage in research that focuses on developing innovative investigative approaches and techniques for solving crimes by studying violent offenders. The chapters in this book are arranged chronologically and introduce many of the FBI profilers and a select number of cases. Chapter 1 introduces criminal profiling and how the practice can help catch murderers. Chapter 2 examines the origins of criminal profiling, while chapter 3 recalls the early years of the BSU. Chapter 4 focuses on the development of both the BSU and of formal criminal profiling. Chapter 5 offers descriptions of the nine “enduring icons” of the BSU. Chapter 6 discusses the use of criminal profiling in difficult to solve murder cases, while chapter 7 describes the evolution of the BSU from an obscure unit into a nationwide crime fighting unit. Chapter 8 focuses on the creation of the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (VICAP), which helped link crimes across the country so that law enforcement could share information and close unsolved murders. Chapter 9 describes how criminal profiles are put together, while chapter 10 focuses on problems inherent in policing and the psychological trauma that ensues following an officer shooting. Chapter 11 discusses the retirement of Roger Depue and the selection of John Campbell in 1985 to head up the BSU, while chapter 12 focuses on the work of Tony Rider within the BSU. Finally, chapter 13 discusses the current status of BSU and its future outlook. Bibliography, index