Jana Monroe - Author of 'Hearts of Darkness' & Former FBI Agent

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 EpisodeWhat 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 IconJana 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 CoverThe fundamentals of FBI profiling and behavioural analysisWorking on homicide and serial offender investigationsThe psychology behind violent crimeHow profiling has evolved over timeThe role of intuition versus evidenceMedia portrayals of crime and their real-world impactWhy This Episode MattersThis 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!