犯罪側寫（Criminal Profiling）又稱犯罪心理側寫、行為側寫（Behavioral Profiling），是一種透過分析犯罪現場、受害者特徵及犯罪模式，以推測嫌犯心理特徵、行為習慣甚至人口統計背景的調查技術。這種方法最初於20世紀中期由美國聯邦調查局（FBI）系統化發展，至今已成為全球刑事偵查的重要工具之一，對破案、預防再犯乃至學術研究均有深遠影響。

這項技術的開端可追溯至1970年代的FBI行為科學單位（Behavioral Science Unit，BSU），該部門設立於維吉尼亞州匡提科（Quantico）的FBI國家學院中。當時FBI注意到某些兇殺與性侵案件中，儘管犯罪現場留下的物理證據有限，但仍可從犯罪方式與施暴細節中看出一定的行為模式與心理痕跡。為此，兩位FBI探員約翰·道格拉斯（John E. Douglas）與羅伯特·雷斯勒（Robert Ressler）在1978年展開一項開創性的研究計畫，走訪監獄訪談多位連環殺人犯與性犯罪者，像是「殺人小丑」約翰·韋恩·蓋西（John Wayne Gacy）與「BTK殺手」丹尼斯·雷德（Dennis Rader），試圖從他們的童年經歷、犯案動機、作案過程與犯罪快感中找出共通特徵。

這些訪談結果與犯罪現場分析逐步累積，最終構成FBI「犯罪行為分析部門」（Behavioral Analysis Unit，簡稱BAU）的核心資料庫與操作模型，也就是今日人們熟知的犯罪側寫理論基礎。他們將連環犯的行為大致劃分為「組織型」（Organized Offender）與「非組織型」（Disorganized Offender）兩類，前者具計畫性、行動有邏輯、可能高智商且能隱藏身份；後者則多衝動、現場混亂、留下大量線索，心理問題明顯。這種分類雖非絕對，但在調查初期能為警方提供方向，甚至縮小嫌疑人範圍。

隨著80年代至90年代的社會對連環殺人案關注提升，犯罪側寫逐漸走出FBI內部，進入大眾視野與各州警方的日常辦案流程。犯罪心理學成為熱門學科，不少警校與法醫學系開設相關課程，許多側寫專家亦成為媒體熟面孔。例如，《沉默的羔羊》中角色「傑克·克勞福特」就是以John Douglas為藍本創作，影集《犯罪心理》（Criminal Minds）更直接描繪FBI BAU部門的探員如何分析凶案現場、建立側寫、追捕嫌犯，極大提升社會對此技術的認知與興趣。

然而，犯罪側寫也非毫無爭議。一些學者與實務警探批評其科學性不足，認為推論過度依賴主觀經驗，缺乏統計基礎與可驗證性。即使如此，側寫的價值仍不可否認。當物證不足、目擊者缺席時，它提供一種補充性的思考工具；在多起類似案件發生時，也有助於發現潛在連結，進而捕捉連環犯。

到了今日，犯罪側寫已擴展至更多領域，包括恐怖主義、網路犯罪、兒童誘拐與縱火案件等。FBI的BAU仍持續運作，並與其他國家警察單位合作共享側寫技術與資料。而隨著人工智慧與大數據的進步，未來的犯罪側寫有可能從「經驗推論」進化為「演算法分析」，以更高效率輔助警方預測與阻止犯罪。

總結而言，FBI開創的犯罪側寫技術，從最初的經驗訪談逐步演變為系統化、專業化的分析模式，對刑事調查與犯罪心理研究產生廣泛影響，也改變了世人理解「犯罪者行為背後的邏輯」這一命題。雖仍有待科學驗證與工具精進，但其對提升辦案效率與理解人性黑暗面的價值，已無庸置疑。

Criminal Profiling: From FBI Origins to Global Impact

Criminal profiling, also known as psychological or behavioral profiling, is an investigative technique used to infer the psychological traits, behavioral patterns, and demographic characteristics of a potential offender based on analysis of the crime scene, victim profiles, and modus operandi. This method was first systematized in the mid-20th century by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and has since evolved into one of the most important tools in modern criminal investigations, with wide-reaching influence on crime-solving, recidivism prevention, and academic research.

The origins of this technique can be traced back to the 1970s with the establishment of the Behavioral Science Unit (BSU) at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. At the time, the FBI recognized that certain homicide and sexual assault cases, despite lacking physical evidence, still revealed consistent patterns in the way crimes were committed—clues that hinted at the perpetrator’s mental state and behavioral tendencies. To explore this further, two FBI agents, John E. Douglas and Robert Ressler, launched a groundbreaking research initiative in 1978. They visited prisons to interview numerous serial killers and sex offenders, including infamous figures such as John Wayne Gacy (“The Killer Clown”) and Dennis Rader (“BTK Killer”). Their aim was to identify commonalities in childhood experiences, motives, methods, and emotional gratification associated with the crimes.

These interviews, combined with in-depth crime scene analyses, gradually formed the foundation of the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU), which today houses the core criminal profiling models used worldwide. One of their most influential contributions was the categorization of offenders into two general types: organized and disorganized. Organized offenders tend to be methodical, intelligent, and socially adept, often leaving little evidence behind. In contrast, disorganized offenders are impulsive, chaotic, and prone to leaving numerous clues at the scene, often struggling with evident psychological issues. Although this binary classification isn’t absolute, it provides valuable investigative direction, especially during the early stages of a case, helping law enforcement narrow down suspect pools.

By the 1980s and 1990s, as public interest in serial crimes surged, criminal profiling began to enter mainstream law enforcement and popular culture. Criminal psychology became a hot academic subject, with police academies and forensic programs offering specialized courses. Profiling experts began to feature prominently in the media. For example, the character Jack Crawford in The Silence of the Lambs was based on John Douglas, and the TV series Criminal Minds directly depicted BAU agents analyzing murder scenes, constructing profiles, and tracking suspects—dramatically increasing public awareness and interest in profiling.

However, criminal profiling has not been without criticism. Some scholars and detectives have challenged its scientific credibility, pointing out that it often relies heavily on subjective intuition and lacks empirical validation. Nonetheless, its value remains recognized, especially when traditional evidence is scarce or absent. In cases involving serial offenses, profiling often uncovers hidden connections and behavioral consistencies that can be vital for identifying and apprehending perpetrators.

Today, criminal profiling has expanded beyond violent crime. It is now used in investigating terrorism, cybercrime, child abduction, and arson. The FBI’s BAU continues to operate, collaborating with international law enforcement agencies to share profiling expertise and data. With the advancement of artificial intelligence and big data, there is growing potential for profiling to evolve from intuition-based methods to algorithm-driven systems, offering faster, data-informed support for crime prediction and prevention.

In conclusion, the profiling techniques pioneered by the FBI—rooted in interviews, pattern recognition, and psychological inference—have developed into a structured and professional discipline. These methods have significantly shaped criminal investigations and our understanding of offender behavior. While scientific rigor and technological enhancement are still needed, the profound impact of criminal profiling on investigative efficiency and the broader grasp of human deviance is undeniable.