View source for Behavioral Analysis Unit

{{short description|Unit of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox law enforcement unit
| unit_name              = Behavioral Analysis Unit
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| dates                  = 1985–present<br/>({{Age|1985|0|0}} years)
| country                = [[United States]]
| agency                 = [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]]
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| command_structure      = [[FBI Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch|Criminal, Cyber, Sex Crimes, Response, and Services Branch]]
*[[FBI Critical Incident Response Group|Critical Incident Response Group]]
Investigative and Operations Support Section
*[[National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime]]
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| abbreviation           = BAU
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The '''Behavioral Analysis Unit''' ('''BAU''') is a department of the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]]'s [[National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime]] that uses behavioral analysts to assist in criminal investigations.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |url=https://www.fbi.gov/publications/serial_murder.htm#ncavc |title=FBI — Serial Murder |publisher=Fbi.gov |access-date=2012-02-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101007204834/http://www.fbi.gov/publications/serial_murder.htm#ncavc |archive-date=2010-10-07 }}</ref> Their mission is to provide behavioral-based investigative and/or operational support by applying case experience, research, and training to complex and time-sensitive [[crime]]s, typically involving acts or threats of [[violence]].

Overall, the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]]'s Behavioral Analysis Units handles diverse cases nationwide, spanning from terrorism and [[cybercrime]] to violent offenses targeting both children and adults. They provide expertise on new investigations, ongoing pursuits, and cold cases, collaborating closely with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Behavioral Analysis |url=https://le.fbi.gov/science-and-lab/behavioral-analysis}}</ref>

Their tasks include:

# '''Criminal Investigative Analysis''': Examining factors such as the offender's motives, victim targeting, level of sophistication, actions, and connection to the crime in question, as well as the chronological sequence of events.
# '''Interview Tactics''': Combining behavioral science principles, psychological theories, and science-based approaches to plan, execute, and evaluate interviews.
# '''Investigative Approach:''' Providing behaviorally informed suggestions to enhance the efficiency of investigations and allocate resources effectively.
# '''Threat Evaluations:''' Employing a data-driven approach to assess an individual's cognitive patterns and behavior, determining the likelihood and extent of their progression towards targeting and potentially attacking a specific entity.