Criminal Profiling, [not to be confused with "Racial Profiling"] has proved to be one of law enforcement's most valuable investigative assets. While racial profiling assumes criminal behavior based on physical characteristics, criminal profiling assumes nothing. The most important objective of criminal profiling is not only to establish a certain group of suspects, but to also eliminate groups of suspects concerning the investigation. This evaluation and elimination process will present the investigator with a list of potential offenders that possess particular habits and characteristics based on the evidence available from a crime scene. This practice is most often used in cases where repeated offenses have occurred at the hands of the same unknown offender. As the number of offenses increases, the available evidence at the crime scene also becomes more available.

While profiling methods are now better known than ever before, this practice has been around in some form since the formation of organized law enforcement. Even in the early chronicles of the fictional Sherlock Holmes, the author relies on profiling to solve the crime. Although the practice of criminal profiling is not as efficient as we have seen portrayed in movies, it has proved to be an invaluable asset to solving high profile cases, such as the missing and murdered children case in Atlanta, the Uni-bomber, and the many murders committed by serial killer Ted Bundy. Keep in mind that criminal profiler's were solving serial rape cases long before current DNA identifiers were ever available. Also, while the DNA data banks can include or eliminate the suspect beyond any mathematical doubt, it is the profiler's who come up with the suspects so that DNA technology can be utilized.

Roy Hazelwood, one of the nations best known criminal profiler's and a former FBI agent, stated that virtually any crime showing mental, emotional, or personality aberration can be analyzed for profiling purposes. Thus, everything from serial rape to serial arsonist cases, are instances where profiling can be utilized. Formerly assigned to the FBI's renowned behavioral science unit, Hazelwood is though to be the role model for the creation of Special Agent Jack Crawford, a character in the movie Silence Of The Lambs. Profiler's usually follow guidelines set up by the FBI's Behavior Science unit in Quantico, Virginia, and while most locally employed profilers have other duties, the FBI unit is one that is available at all times and are able to travel to any part of the country should the need arise.

There is an old saying that for any criminal act that occurs, the perpetrator leaves something behind. Whenever that 'something' is found, the profiler's work begins. By evaluating crime scene photographs, examining autopsy reports, reviewing evidence and crime scenes, as well as a complete background review of the victim, the profiler begins a slow and meticulous task of identifying the suspect. This process can identify the sex, race, approximate age, profession, and many other factors about the suspect. In most cases the profile of the suspect has had an uncanny mirror like comparison to the perpetrator when he or she was finally arrested. Deduction and reasoning, as well as the study of human nature, are the main proponents that are used in the study of serial criminals. Criminal profiling is extremely effective in certain criminal offenses such as serial rape, rape homicide, and autoerotic deaths. While most of these profilers are employed as law enforcement professionals, they are somewhat unique in that they also have knowledge of psychology and are students of human behavior.

The real value of profilers is not in the cases that we see in the news or depicted in the movies, but the everyday cases where predators victimize average people. Hopefully, before these types of crimes are committed against innocent and unsuspecting people, the would-be-perpetrator will heed some warning from those like Hazelwood. However, when the warning falls on deaf ears, victims will have some hope of justice that their assailants will be caught utilizing the methods of profiling.

Law enforcement is like everything else in today's world. Technology, whether we like it or not, has become an integral part of criminal investigations. It provides valuable assistance that has never been available before. DNA, entomology (the study of bugs), and computer analysis are all now a routine part of criminal investigation. The old-time police officers, who by the way did solve many crimes, would be lost in some of the forensic labs used today. However, in a time where every measure of success is graded by the scientific method involved, it is good to know that good old fashion police work is still alive and well!