profiler

[proh-fahy-ler]

noun

1. any of several types of machine tools for reproducing shapes in metal or other materials from a master form.

profiler

/ ˈprəʊfaɪlə /

noun

1. a person or device that creates a profile, esp someone with psychological training who assists police investigations by identifying the likely characteristics of the perpetrator of a particular crime

Word History and Origins

Origin of profiler¹

First recorded in 1900–05; profile + -er ¹

Example Sentences

For 1986’s “Manhunter,” Petersen is Will Graham, a former FBI criminal profiler with an uncommon ability to understand the mindset of serial killers.

From Los Angeles Times

And it wouldn’t be a Karin Slaughter thriller without a few twists, not the least of which is a time jump from the disappearance of the girls until a second disappearance in North Falls 12 years later upends assumptions about the perpetrator of the first crimes and kicks off a new investigation involving an older and wiser Emmy and her son Cole, also a deputy sheriff, as well as Jude Archer, a mysterious, recently retired FBI profiler come to town to consult on the new investigation.

From Los Angeles Times

Former FBI profiler Greg McCrary said that people often go to familiar places when they are under a lot of stress and that authorities would focus on who Yolanda knows in Mexico and where she might be hiding out.

From Los Angeles Times

For the Disney+ documentary, he gave buzzy celebrity profiler R.J.

From Los Angeles Times

This Wondery podcast, hosted by the former F.B.I. criminal profiler Candice DeLong, who also spent a decade as a psychiatric nurse, examines the case and all the systemic breakdowns that led Bardo straight to Schaeffer.

From New York Times