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In 1974, the FBI consulted on a Montana case using something that they'd never actually put into practice yet, criminal
profiling. Early on in the investigation into the disappearance of 7-year-old Susie Jaeger, investigators didn't have
much to go off of, so they were willing to try anything, even this brand new thing that the FBI had called criminal
profiling. And it seemed a little out there to local authorities as agents described perpetrators that they'd never
seen, a white guy in his 20s, a loner, unmarried, who's comfortable outdoors, and former military, socially awkward
around women, and likely someone who inserts himself into investigations. And they even had predictions, not only
about who he is, but about what he was going to do next. They said that the killer was probably going to call
Susie's family on the anniversary of the crime. Well, guess what happened next. Would you believe that even then local
investigators were still questioning whether profiling was legit?

In 1974, investigators working the disappearance of 7-year-old Susie Jaeger turned to a new FBI technique that had never really been tested in the field before: criminal profiling.

With few leads to follow, FBI agents developed a behavioral profile of the unknown offender. They predicted not only what kind of person he was, but also how he would behave and what he might do next.

One prediction stood out: they believed the killer would contact Susie's family on the anniversary of the crime.

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Brief Summary

The FBI's criminal profiling was tested in Susie Jaeger's case, but local authorities doubted its validity.

Key points

The Introduction of Criminal Profiling. In 1974, the FBI introduced criminal profiling in a Montana case, marking a new investigative approach.

Episode highlights

The Introduction of Criminal ProfilingIn 1974, the FBI introduced criminal profiling in a Montana case, marking a new investigative approach.“They were willing to try anything, even this brand new thing that the FBI had called criminal profiling.”0:15Jun 5, 2026

Episode quotes

Would you believe that even then local investigators were still questioning whether profiling was legit?

Skepticism about new methods in a critical investigation.

0:52WatchJun 5, 2026

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