Hidden Genius Behind FBI Profiling: The Legacy of Ann Burgess
When I think of criminal profiling, it’s easy to picture iconic fictional figures like Clarice Starling from The Silence of the Lambs or Holden Ford from Netflix’s Mindhunter. But it turns out that there is a real-life genius behind both of these characters whose work has literally changed the world: Dr. Ann Burgess.
The Unsung Hero of Criminal Profiling Also Raised Four Children
Dr. Burgess, a renowned psychiatric nurse and researcher, has had an immense impact on the field of criminal profiling. In the 1970s, she was personally recruited by the FBI to develop some of the earliest studies on violent criminals, helping to shape how we understand and track serial offenders today. The FBI was impressed with her work interviewing rape victims and categorizing the data, which at the time was basically ignored by law enforcement. But that wasn’t her only job! It was her side gig. At the same time that she was codifying serial killer behavior patterns, Burgess also continued serving as the Dean of Nursing Studies at Boston College—and raising four young children.
Dr. Ann Burgess (Compliments of Hulu)
Balancing her academic leadership and groundbreaking research with her role as a mother speaks volumes about Dr. Burgess’ dedication, resilience, and ability to manage multiple high-stakes responsibilities at once.
Dr. Burgess brought empirical research into the fold, providing the FBI with the ability to categorize tangible data on patterns of behavior among violent criminals, especially in cases of sexual violence and murder. And while her insights and groundbreaking research were instrumental in shaping the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit (BSU), solving dozens of crimes and saving countless lives, the Bureau itself has rarely acknowledged her contributions publicly.
Why Didn't the FBI Recognize Her Work?
While the FBI has been famous for the likes of John Douglas and Robert Ressler—former agents who worked alongside Burgess—her absence from public recognition raises questions. Why didn’t the Bureau fully credit her work in criminal profiling?
Women are all too familiar with the answer. The FBI has been male-dominated, making it difficult for women, especially an academic, to receive due credit in a field historically viewed as a boys' club. And although Dr. Burgess wasn't an FBI agent herself, her psychological expertise developed hundreds of interviews with rape victims was indispensable. She was able to match both halves of the equation: the behavior of serial perpetrators and why they chose their victims. Yet, institutional misogyny overlooked her achievements in favor of the male agents in the field.
To quote Taylor Swift, if Dr. Burgess "was a man, she'd be The Man" in the FBI.
It’s a situation familiar to women in almost every profession: being overlooked after doing the heavy lifting.
Ann Burgess on Netflix: Mindhunter
But in recent years, Burgess’ contributions have gained renewed attention, thanks to the Netflix series Mindhunter. The show, based on the early days of FBI criminal profiling, introduces a character named Wendy Carr, whose role is directly inspired by Burgess. Carr’s character embodies many of Burgess' contributions, particularly her focus on the psychological underpinnings of violent crime and the importance of understanding offenders' thought processes to catch them.
However, even in Mindhunter, Burgess’ name remains in the background, allowing Carr to act as a fictional stand-in. This artistic choice mirrors the real-life erasure of Burgess’ pivotal role in the FBI’s criminal profiling history.
Ann Burgess Finally Gets Her Due: The Hulu Series
For those looking for a deeper dive into Ann Burgess’ life and the monumental role she played, Hulu recently released a series that finally brings her work into the spotlight. Unlike Mindhunter, which takes some creative liberties, the Hulu series Mastermind: To Think Like a Killer is a more direct account of her groundbreaking research. Mastermind chronicles her partnership with the FBI, illustrating the challenges she faced in a male-dominated environment, how she balanced her demanding careers while raising four children, and how her findings revolutionized the way violent criminals are tracked and apprehended.
The series highlights the struggles and triumphs of Burgess, portraying her as the groundbreaking figure she is. Finally, viewers can see the true story behind the creation of the FBI's criminal profiling unit and how Burgess’ data-driven approach forever changed the landscape of criminal psychology.
Dr. Burgess' Lasting Legacy
Today, at 87, Ann Burgess continues to inspire future generations. Not only did she lay the foundation for modern criminal profiling, but she also continues to teach and mentor the next generation of profilers. Despite her groundbreaking work in criminology, Burgess remains committed to her roots in nursing education. She still maintains a full courseload at Boston College, where she mentors' students, balancing the realms of nursing, psychology, and criminal behavior analysis.
Her ability to juggle her pioneering work in criminal psychology, her leadership role in nursing studies, and the challenges of raising four children is nothing short of remarkable. It’s a powerful reminder that women like Burgess often carry the weight of multiple worlds on their shoulders, excelling in all of them, yet remaining unrecognized for decades.
Pioneer in Trauma Treatment
And last, but certainly not least, Dr. Burgess is also an internationally recognized pioneer in the assessment and treatment of victims of trauma and abuse. pioneered assessing and treating trauma in rape victims. She co-founded one of the first hospital-based crisis counseling programs at Boston City Hospital with Boston College sociologist, Lynda Lytle Holmstrom. Together, Dr. Burgess and Holmstrom conducted extensive research regarding 1960s rape victims in Boston. She interviewed victims and quantified their experiences. It was this knowledge that led to the insights behind her FBI profiling work and her latest book, A Killer by Design: Murderers, Mindhunters, and My Quest to Decipher the Criminal Mind, offering deep insights into her work with serial killers. She also testified on behalf of the Menendez brothers, believing that the trauma of the sexual abuse by their father led to their decision to murder their parents. She was also an expert witness in the trial of Bill Cosby, resulting in a conviction that few thought was possible.
Although the FBI has basically ignored her contributions, her accomplishments have been recognized by numerous others, including the Sigma Theta Tau International Audrey Hepburn Award, the American Nurses’ Association Hildegard Peplau Award, and the Sigma Theta Tau International Episteme Laureate Award. Her courtroom testimony has been described as “groundbreaking,” and she has been called a “nursing pathfinder” for her trailblazing contributions.
Her influence resonates across multiple domains, from criminal psychology to trauma-informed care. And while the FBI may not have publicly recognized her contributions, her impact cannot be understated. Her research and insights remain vital to the field of criminal profiling, and the renewed interest in her story—thanks to Mindhunter and now Hulu’s Mastermind—helps her legacy reach the audience that she deserves.
