How to Become a Criminal Profiler

How to Become a Criminal ProfilerHow to Become a Criminal ProfilerOne of the most fascinating, challenging and interesting careers available to criminal justice and criminology job seekers is that of the criminal profiler. Popularized by television shows like The Profiler and characters like Hannibal Lecter, the idea of tracking criminals by studying their motives and methods to develop a picture of who they are is understandably appealing to a lot of people. Add to that the potential for a high salary and decent fringe benefits, and its little wonder that so many people hoping for a criminal justice job would be drawn to criminal profiling. With this high interest, though, comes high competition. Landing a career as a criminal profiler is no easy feat, and there are a lot of folks competing for not a lot of jobs. If youre interested in working in such a highly sought-after and wildly competitive field, youre going to need to know how to become a criminal profiler and abflug planning for your career path now. Minimum Requirements Before you get started on getting competitive, you need to make sure you can meet the minimum requirements. These are the basics that youll need to have to get an employer even to consider an application for a job. Understand that you are most likely not going to walk out of college and right into a lucrative profiling career. Most often, criminal profilers are detectives or investigators who work for state assekuranzpolice agencies, large municipal police departments, or as FBI special agents. It means the typical path to becoming a profiler is through the police department or state or Federal Bureau of Investigations. It also means that youre going to have to start off your career at the bottom rung of the ladder and work your way up. The first step, then, is to meet the minimum hiring requirements for an officer at whatever law enforcement agency youre hoping to work for. Specific requirements will vary among agencies, but gener ally, in the U.S. you must first Be a United States citizenHave either some college, prior law enforcement or past military experienceBe at least 19 or 21 years of age - depending on the jurisdictionHold a valid driver licenseHave no prior arrests or convictions for felonies or serious misdemeanors Again, these are the bare minimums just to be considered for law enforcement. Without these, you probably wont be able to get hired as a police officer, which in turn means you wont be able to become a criminal profiler. Meeting these minimums, however, in no way guarantees youll land a job. You still have to make yourself competitive. For more specific information on how to get started on the career path, read Please note not all departments have behavioral science or profiling divisions. Research your local and federal agencies to be sure the career path you want is a viable one. Get Competitive As weve mentioned, becoming a criminal profiler is an extremely competitive endeavor. Th at means you need to stand out from the crowd and make yourself the best and most obvious candidate when a position comes available. To put yourself in the best position to make it as a criminal profiler, youll want to build a resume that demonstrates that you have the knowledge, experience, and training necessary for this mentally grueling career. Theres no specific degree required, but if you want to have a good shot, youll want to pursue an advanced degree in a behavioral science, such as psychology, and take courses in forensic science. Relevant experience is also a vital key to becoming a profiler. Youll need to work your way up through the ranks to become a detective or investigator or - in the case of the FBI - a supervisory special agent. As an investigator, youll need to develop years of experience successfully investigating violent crimes and studying dangerous criminals. Along the way, you can probably expect to partake in oral interviews and other assessments to determin e your suitability for promotion or transfer to a profiling unit. Your past body of work should be impeccable, meaning well-written and thorough reports and successful arrests and prosecutions. Physical Fitness Requirements Because criminal profiling is a law enforcement career, you will most likely be required to demonstrate and maintain a certain level of physical fitness. If youre not in shape now, consult with your doctor and start working to get there - and stay there -so your health doesnt keep you from achieving your dream job. Different agencies will have different requirements, but if you exercise regularly and eat healthily, you can put yourself in the best position possible to compete physically. Background Investigation Given the sensitive nature of the field, youll be required to undergo an extensive background check when you begin your job. By the time you get to the point in your career when you can start being considered for a job as a criminal profiler, the background check should be less of an issue. Nonetheless, whether youre just getting started or youre already well-established, its always a good idea to keep the prospect of a background check in the back of your mind and make sure your behavior - both on and off the job - is above board. Training According to the FBI - the agency that pioneered criminal profiling - in addition to their law enforcement and police academy training, criminal profilers receive professional training and development to hone their skills and prepare them for the specific job of profiling. Training is conducted by units such as the FBIs Behavioral Science Unit and the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime. Initial training will include up to 500 hours or more, and profilers are also expected to join national and international profiling organizations, as well as attend seminars and continuing education courses to stay fresh in their field. Getting Started Embarking on a career as a crim inal profiler is a difficult prospect. Its also an incredibly interesting career choice, with plenty of challenges to keep you busy and excited about your job for years to come. If youre well motivated and determined to become a criminal profiler, then theres no time like the present to get started on gaining the knowledge, training, and experience youll need to compete for this great criminal justice career.