In the late 1970s, two FBI agents broaden the realm of criminal science by investigating the psychology behind murder and end up getting too close to real-life monsters.
Two FBI agents, fighting the departmental stigma of backroom boys - those who try to complicate the status quo of simple Means, Motive, Opportunity (MMO) of crime-solving with academics - work to develop an innovative investigative field incorporating psychology, anthropology and sociology as a method to reveal the motive. They acknowledge classic crime-solving - MMO - as no longer sufficient because criminality is becoming more complicated as Motive graduates from need and greed to inexplicable and irrational reasons. They theorize applying deeper psychological evaluation will posit new questions. Simply, asking Why will lead to the Who. This series focuses on the development by two men, two agents, of a new criminal field and does so through story lines of visiting the sociopathic mind.—sasisami
Mindhunter is based on the 1996 book Mind Hunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit, by former special agent John Douglas and Mark Olshaker. For years, Douglas pursued some of the most notorious serial killers and rapists, developing profiling techniques to catch them. The book goes behind the scenes of some of his highest-profile cases, including the man who hunted prostitutes in Alaska, the Atlanta child murderer, and Seattle's Green River killer. To hone in his profiling methods Douglas interviewed and studied a skew of serial killers. Several book and TV characters have been based in part on him, including Jack Crawford in Thomas Harris' The Silence of the Lambs, Will Graham on Hannibal and Jason Gideon on Criminal Minds.—ahmetkozan
1979. Agent Holden Ford is attached to the FBI's Behavioural Sciences Unit, headed by veteran agent Bill Tench. A new type of killer is emerging, one that kills regularly and without apparent motive. Due to the lack of motive, it is difficult to profile and apprehend the perpetrator in a murder investigation. In order to reduce this knowledge deficit, Tench and Ford set out to question incarcerated 'sequence killers' and build up a database of their backgrounds, behaviours, drivers and motives in order to make apprehending such criminals easier in future.—grantss
The two-season Netflix crime drama Mindhunter transports viewers to the early years of criminal psychology in the late 1970s. The narrative centers on two FBI agents who reject conventional approaches to criminal investigation: Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) and Bill Tench (Holt McCallany). They contend that in order to truly capture a monster, you must be able to penetrate their mind and comprehend their motivations.A bright but inexperienced agent named Holden develops a fascination with the idea of criminal profiling. At first, Bill, a skilled and realistic negotiator, laughs at Holden's unconventional concepts. But a string of gruesome, seemingly unrelated killings piques their interest. They collaborate on an innovative research project with psychologist Wendy Carr (Anna Torv), a trailblazer in the field of criminal behavior studies.Interviewing notorious serial killers who are incarcerated was their plan. These include eerie individuals who provide a window into the shadowy corners of the criminal mind, such as Ed Kemper and David Berkowitz. Holden, in particular, gets absorbed in these interviews, pushing the envelope and going where it is morally dubious.Holden and Bill must overcome departmental resistance and bureaucratic obstacles, as the FBI is skeptical of their work. They find it difficult to persuade their superiors that knowing the "why" behind the crimes can be just as important as knowing the "who" and "how." Their interviews produce insightful information by exposing trends and motivations that defy conventional investigation methods.The first season delves deeply into criminal profiling in its infancy. Holden is observed honing interviewing skills that will serve as fundamental resources for the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit (BSU). He and Bill interview a terrifying variety of murderers as they travel the nation, each of them providing a piece of the puzzle. The season also delves into Holden's personal costs associated with this work, making it harder to distinguish between subjects and investigators.The foundation set in season one is expanded upon in season two. The FBI starts to take notice of the BSU, and Holden and Bill are asked to provide advice on open cases. They assess suspects psychologically and analyze crime scenes using the knowledge they have recently gained. The season also explores the real-life case of the Atlanta Child Murders, which highlights the shortcomings of criminal profiling and the racial biases present in the criminal justice system.Mindhunter skillfully combines factual historical details with fictional stories throughout the entire series. John E. Douglas, a real-life FBI profiler whose work greatly influenced the development of criminal profiling, provided advice to the show's creators. This gives the depiction of the BSU's innovative efforts a sense of authenticity.After receiving praise from critics for its sharp writing, gripping performances, and trademark gloomy atmosphere from David Fincher, Mindhunter was canceled by Netflix following its second season. As a result, many fans were left with unanswered questions and a suspended narrative.Even though Mindhunter's future is still unknown, the show offers an intriguing look into how criminal profiling has changed over time. It explores the depths of human psychology, the darkness that some people harbor, and the never-ending search for the reasons behind acts too horrible to contemplate.
Malik Haider
