FBI stands for Federal Bureau of Investigation and they investigate terrorism, counterintelligence, cyber crime, public corruption, civil rights, organized crime, white-collar crime, violent crime, and weapons of mass destruction. The FBI is an “intelligence-driven and threat-focused national security organization with both intelligence and law enforcement responsibilities.” (Frequently Asked Questions)
As known by most of you, Clarice Starling studies at the FBI Academy in the Behavioral Science department, “the FBI section that deals with serial murder” (Harris 1). In fact, the Behavioral science unit exists in the FBI training division and, as suggested by the book, this particular unit analyzes the different of motives of criminals to commit a practiced crime. In this program, courses are offered “in cyberspace; in conflict and crisis management; in futuristics; in death investigation; gangs; spirituality; stress management; and terrorism.” (Behavioral Science Unit – Part I)
In the book, Clarice interviews Hannibal Lecter in order to identify his motives in hopes of identifying the motives of Buffalo Bill for his murders. This process is practice by the Behavioral Science Unit. Roy Halzlewood interviewed rapist in order to understand their motivation. This practice continues to be done as it has proven to determine the motivation to understand the behavior of these criminals.
In the entertainment industry, cops are often portrayed as criminal chasing heroes with guns. One particular FBI agent, who inspired the role of Jack Crawford revealed that he does not like the way cops are portrayed in this book. John Douglas is famous in the FBI for interviewing criminals behind bars to help find other criminals. He does not like how “you can see FBI agents pulling out guns and knocking down doors and taking over investigations …” (Kaplan) We can only imagine he did not like the ending where Clarice kills Buffalo Bill.
What about you? What do you think about the FBI Academy? Would you consider taking a course there? What do you think about John Douglas? Do you think he is right about the way cops are portrayed in the entertainment industry?
Tania Boivin
Works Cited
“Behavioral Science Unit – Part I.” fbi.gov, 23 december 2009, https://www.fbi.gov/audio-repository/news-podcasts-inside-behavioral-science-unit-2013-part-i.mp3/view.
“Frequently Asked Questions.” fbi.gov, https://www.fbi.gov/about/faqs.
Kaplan, Michael. “FBI agent hates the ‘Silence of the Lambs’ character he inspired.” nypost.com, 21 october 2017, https://nypost.com/2017/10/21/fbi-agent-hates-the-silence-of-the-lambs-character-he-inspired/. Accessed 7 may 2018.
The Five Star Killers 