Serial Killers Part 2: The Birth of Behavioral Analysis in the FBI

Behavioral analysis seeks to understand the behavior, experiences, and psychological make-up of criminals and suspects for insights that could solve cases. It played a role in the case of serial killer Ted Bundy.

10/23/13

In the final days of 1977, a man now known as one of the most prolific serial killers in U.S. history—Theodore \”Ted\” Bundy—cleverly escaped from a Colorado prison while most of the staff was away for the holidays.

FBI agents quickly joined the search. In early February 1978, the Bureau placed Bundy on its Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. Among the information shared by the FBI with law enforcement during this time were details on his \”M.O.\” (modus operandi or method of operation). Bundy typically looked for victims at places where young people gathered, such as colleges, beaches, ski resorts, and discos, the FBI explained. And he preferred young, attractive women with long hair parted in the middle.