Blog: 21.01.24

Modern Profiling: A Necessity for Today's Analysts

Let's discuss the difference between criminal profiling, digital profiling, and (as we call it) - modern profiling.

FBI and other law enforcement agencies are often associated with criminal profiling. This traditional method involves creating a profile of a suspect based on patterns of behavior, crime scene evidence, and forensic analysis.

Digital profiling leverages the vast amount of information available online to create a profile of an individual or entity. This approach focuses on connecting digital dots, such as social media activities, online presence, and publicly available information. Smaller analyst teams often use it to investigate money laundering, KYC, and online harm.

Even though both of these methods are essential to intelligence analysis, a more modern approach has emerged in recent years.

The concept of modern profiling is simple: as soon as you get a lead, you want to find out as much as you can about it in the least amount of time and effort. Moreover, you want it laid out nicely in a report. The method is not meant to replace thorough analysis and cross-checking that are essential for good intelligence reporting. But, as data volumes, crime types, and time constraints have increased in the last few years, modern profiling has come to the rescue.

Here are some key differences between classic profiling methods (both criminal and digital) and modern profiling:

Criminal Profiling

Methodology:

Focus: Behavioral analysis, patterns of behavior, crime scene evidence, and forensic analysis.

Specialization: Requires specialized training in criminal profiling and behavioral analysis.

Data Sources:

Origin: Primarily derived from physical crime scenes and forensic evidence.

Nature: Involves tangible evidence and psychological insights.

Scope of Application:

Typical Cases: Often applied in serious criminal investigations, especially those involving violent or serial crimes.

Expertise: Relies on the experience and intuition of highly trained profilers.

Downsides:

Time-consuming
Complicated
Not applicable in the private sector

Digital Profiling

Methodology:

Focus: Leveraging online information, including social media activities, online presence, and publicly available data.

Tools: Utilizes digital tools and algorithms for data aggregation and analysis.

Data Sources:

Origin: Gathers information from the vast online landscape.

Nature: Primarily involves digital footprints and publicly available information.

Scope of Application:

Typical Cases: Applied in various scenarios, including investigating money laundering, KYC (Know Your Customer), and online harm.

Analyst Teams: Often employed by smaller analyst teams for targeted investigations.

Downsides:

An ocean of information - hard to find the needle in the haystack
Sometimes information is false or unreliable
Not applicable to very closed, secretive targets

Modern Profiling

Methodology:

Focus: Balances speed and efficiency in acquiring information as soon as a lead is identified.

Integration: Complements thorough analysis without replacing it, acknowledging the need for a quick and effective initial profile.

Data Sources:

Origin: Draws from both traditional and digital sources, emphasizing efficiency in data collection.

Utilization: Leverages advanced technology to quickly sift through data volumes online and offline.

Scope of Application:

Typical Cases: Suited for the current landscape of increased data volumes, diverse crime types, and time constraints. Necessary in most investigations.

Role: Serves as a rapid response mechanism to generate a suspect’s profile.

Upsides:

Leveraging both closed and open sources
Does not require much time or expertise

Enter Falkor, the analyst's toolkit for modern profiling. With a simple click, it enriches your initial lead with data from databases, ongoing cases, and online sources, allowing you to generate a comprehensive profile report in just one more click. A straightforward solution designed to make profiling efficient and reporting consumer-friendly.