In this episode of Footnotes on Crime, we are joined by Jana Monroe, a former FBI profiler, author, and expert in violent crime and behavioural analysis.

With a career spanning some of the most complex homicide and serial offender investigations, Jana offers a rare and deeply informed perspective on the realities of criminal profiling and the psychology behind violent crime.

About the Episode

What does it take to understand the mind of a violent offender?

In this compelling conversation, Jana Monroe takes us inside her work with the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, where she played a key role in high-profile investigations and helped shape modern approaches to profiling. Drawing on decades of experience, she breaks down the methods, instincts, and psychological frameworks used to analyse some of the most dangerous individuals.

Jana also reflects on the emotional and ethical dimensions of the work, exploring the balance between professional detachment and the human impact of the cases she encountered.

From Real Life to Cultural Icon

Jana Monroe’s influence extends beyond real investigations. She is widely recognised as one of the inspirations behind Clarice Starling in The Silence of the Lambs, and served as a consultant on the film itself.

In this episode, she shares her perspective on how criminal profiling is portrayed in popular culture, what gets misunderstood, and why the reality is often far more complex and nuanced.

What We Cover

• The fundamentals of FBI profiling and behavioural analysis
• Working on homicide and serial offender investigations
• The psychology behind violent crime
• How profiling has evolved over time
• The role of intuition versus evidence
• Media portrayals of crime and their real-world impact

Why This Episode Matters

This is more than a discussion about crime. It is an exploration of human behaviour at its most extreme, and the systems built to understand it.

Jana’s insights offer listeners a deeper appreciation of the complexities behind investigations, while also highlighting the importance of accuracy, responsibility, and empathy in how these stories are told.

Listen Now

🎧 Tune in to hear Jana Monroe’s extraordinary story and expert insights on Footnotes on Crime.

For more information on Jana or the podcast, please visit our website at www.footnotesoncrime.com.

Jana's book, Hearts of Darkness, Serial Killers, the Behavioral Science Unit, and My Life as a Woman in the FBI is available to purchase here (Links to Waterstones website*) - https://tidd.ly/4dNCfIf

*Footnotes on Crime are paid a small commission through purchases at Waterstones through the AWIN affiliate programme. Purchasing through these links supports the podcast and allows us to continue to bring amazing guests to you. Thank you!

Skye Borgman is an American documentary filmmaker and producer known for directing true-crime films and series for major streaming platforms.

Her work includes Abducted in Plain Sight, Girl in the Picture, Dead Asleep, and Unknown Caller, each exploring complex real-life criminal cases through interviews, archival material, and investigative storytelling.

Borgman’s documentaries focus on the human stories behind crimes, examining psychology, media coverage, and the long-term effects on victims and families.

In this conversation, Skye discusses her journey in true crime storytelling, emphasizing the importance of victim narratives and ethical considerations in filmmaking.

She shares insights on building trust with participants, the editing process, and the impact of body camera footage.

Skye reflects on her personal growth through her work and the resilience of individuals she has encountered, ultimately highlighting the balance between hope and awareness in the world.

Visit www.footnotesoncrime.com for more information about the podcast, or to sign up to our newsletter and become one of our Footprints.

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*Commission paid by Amazon

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Mary Turner Thomson is a British author and speaker best known for her memoir The Bigamist, which recounts her experience of deception and betrayal by a Psychopath. Her second book The Psychopath relates her experience post-revelation and how she rebuilt her life in the wake of this life-changing experience.

The story attracted international media attention and inspired documentaries and television adaptations. She later wrote a follow-up book exploring the aftermath of the deception and her journey rebuilding her life.

Mary now speaks and writes about fraud, coercive control, resilience, and the psychological impact of relationship-based crime.

In this episode, Mary shares her harrowing experience of being deceived by a bigamist and psychopath, exploring the complexities of online dating, the impact of ADHD on relationships, and the healing power of writing.

Through her journey, she emphasizes the importance of community support, the evolution of language around trauma, and the need for survivors to move forward and celebrate their resilience.

Mary also discusses the publishing landscape, offering insights into self-publishing and the importance of sharing stories to help others.

Visit www.footnotesoncrime.com for more information, or to sign up to our newsletter.

Mary's Books are available to purchase on Amazon and Waterstones, using the links below .

Purchase books on Amazon

Please note - Footnotes on Crime is an Amazon Affiliate / Associate - Commission is earned on purchases made using these links.

The Bigamist
Paperback - https://amzn.to/4kUryVL
Audiobook - https://amzn.to/4cOxnSq
Kindle edition - https://amzn.to/4aXa6ex

The Psychopath
Paperback - https://amzn.to/4aTMrvo
Hardcover - https://amzn.to/4rOxDW4
Audiobook - https://amzn.to/4tS9jUZ
Kindle Edition - https://amzn.to/4aDXJ8r
Audio CD - https://amzn.to/4aUrHDY

Purchase on Waterstones

(Please note - Footnotes on Crime are affiliates and earn commission on purchases)

The Bigamist - https://tidd.ly/4d5JVFe

The Psychopath - https://tidd.ly/4lNFj90

Sign up to Audible* - Select 1 audiobook a month and enjoy unlimited podcasts with Audible Standard at £5.99 per month - https://amzn.to/3OewMzA

Sign up to Riverside FM** - Riverside is the AI-powered platform that lets you record, edit, repurpose, and distribute studio-quality content as easily as if you had a crew behind you. Sign up today - https://riverside.sjv.io/9VVebW

*Commission paid by Amazon

**Commission paid by Riverside FM / Impact