Characteristics of a Killer


October 7, 2011

FBI behavioral analysts are releasing information about the distinguishing behaviors of the person responsible for murdering an assistant United States Attorney.


Audio Transcript

Mollie Halpern: FBI behavioral analysts—known as profilers—are releasing information about the distinguishing behaviors of the person responsible for murdering an assistant United States Attorney. Thomas Wales was shot 10 years ago this month with a Makarov pistol at his Seattle home office.

Susan Kossler: This may cause the offender to feel things again that maybe he hadn’t felt for a while. It may stir some feelings back up again.

Halpern: I’m Mollie Halpern of the Bureau, and this is Wanted by the FBI. Profilers say the suspect will show a change in behavior. The person may become obsessed with the case and want to talk about it all of the time. Supervisory Special Agent Susan Kossler of the Behavioral Analysis Unit…

Kossler: You can get the opposite. You can get somebody that just seems to be abnormally trying to avoid discussion of it with anybody.

Halpern: The offender likely displayed out of the ordinary behaviors around the time of the murder.

Kossler: Going back and remembering, if this is someone that they’ve known over a period of time, it would be not only the significance of maybe seeing these behaviors now, but can they remember seeing them 10 years ago?

Halpern: If you have information, dial 1-800-CALL-FBI or send an anonymous tip to www.fbi.gov.

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