Forensic Psychology &
Behavioral Analysis
Understanding Criminal Behavior. Supporting Investigations. Advancing the Profession.
The study of criminal behavior can help investigators understand patterns, victim selection, offender decision-making, crime-scene behavior, escalation, motivation, and investigative strategy.
CommunityPolicing.com's Forensic Psychology & Behavioral Analysis Center brings together academic research, law-enforcement history, behavioral terminology, case studies, and investigative concepts in one accessible educational resource.
Academic Disclaimer: Behavioral analysis, criminal profiling, forensic psychology, and offender classification are complex disciplines. Behavioral observations should not be treated as proof of guilt, clinical diagnosis, probable cause, or forensic identification. Investigative conclusions should be supported by the totality of available evidence and evaluated within applicable law, agency policy, scientific research, and professional standards.
Explore the Center
Select a section to begin. Each area is designed for both students conducting research and law enforcement professionals seeking reliable reference material.
Forensic Psychology
Explore the intersection of psychology, behavior, criminal justice, courts, investigations, and offender assessment.
Behavioral Analysis
Examine behavioral investigative concepts, offender behavior, victimology, crime-scene analysis, linkage, and investigative hypotheses.
Serial Crime
Explore serial homicide, sexual offending, serial violence, behavioral patterns, investigative challenges, and major historical cases.
Research & Terminology
Access an academic glossary, landmark research, recommended readings, major researchers, and citation-ready reference material.
All Topics
Understand Behavior. Follow the Evidence.
Behavioral science can provide valuable insight into offenders, victims, decisions, motivations, crime patterns, and investigative strategy. But behavioral analysis is most valuable when used alongside traditional investigation, forensic science, digital evidence, victimology, crime analysis, constitutional policing, and professional judgment.
The ultimate purpose of this section is not to teach students or police officers how to "profile a serial killer." It is to teach them how behavioral evidence can be studied critically, responsibly, and scientifically.
Understand Behavior. Follow the Evidence. Strengthen the Investigation.
What This Center Distinguishes
This resource consistently distinguishes between the following — a distinction that is critical for both academic accuracy and investigative integrity:
Established scientific research
Peer-reviewed, replicated findings from academic journals and research institutions.
Criminal investigative experience
Practitioner knowledge developed through casework, not necessarily empirically validated.
Behavioral-analysis concepts
Structured frameworks for organizing behavioral information to support investigations.
Forensic psychology
The broad application of psychological science to legal and criminal justice questions.
Investigative psychology
An academic discipline applying psychological science to criminal investigation.
Criminal profiling
Inference of possible offender characteristics from behavioral and investigative information.
Investigative hypotheses
Working theories that must be tested against evidence — not conclusions.
Popular culture myths
Media portrayals that frequently misrepresent behavioral science capabilities and limitations.
Return to the Criminal Justice Academy
Explore Volume I and Volume II articles covering community policing, evidence-based practice, and criminal law.