The Consult: Real FBI Profilers

The Consult: Real FBI Profilers

The Consult is a true crime podcast that examines behavior exhibited before, during, and after the commission of a criminal act. Consultants are retired FBI profilers who worked the cases.

Episodes

October 1, 2025 59 mins

Dr. Ann Burgess joins the show to discuss her book Expert Witness: The Weight of Our Testimony When Justice Hangs in the Balance. An internationally recognized pioneer in the assessment and treatment of trauma and abuse victims, Dr. Burgess collaborated with the FBI Academy to study serial offenders and the connection between child abuse, juvenile delinquency, and later violent crime. We discuss her groundbreaking work wit...

Mark as Played

In this episode of The Consult, I talk with Áine Cain and Kevin Greenlee, hosts of The Murder Sheet podcast and authors of Shadow of the Bridge: The Delphi Murders and the Dark Side of the American Heartland. We discuss their book with a focus on the behavior in the case of Abigail Williams and Liberty German—and what it reveals about the offender.


You can find Shadow of the Bridge: The Delphi Murders and the Dark Side ...

Mark as Played
September 16, 2025 46 mins

In this final episode of our three-part analysis of the West Memphis Three case, we bring together everything we’ve learned about the murders of Michael Moore, Steve Branch, and Christopher Byers on or about May 5, 1993, and share our overall assessment of the case. Part 3 of 3.


You can follow The Consult on social media:

X/Twitter

Instagram

Facebook


For additional information and resources, please visit our episode web...

Mark as Played
September 10, 2025 49 mins

In this episode, we look at the autopsies and victimologies of the three boys: Michael Moore, Steve Branch, and Christorpher Byers. We review what the medical examiner found, the condition of the bodies, and the significance of the injuries. We also examine the boys’ victimology to better understand who they were and what risk factors may have drawn the offender’s attention. Part 2 of 3.


You can follow The Consult on so...

Mark as Played
September 3, 2025 50 mins

In this first episode of our three-part analysis of the West Memphis Three case, we look at the events of May 5, 1993. That afternoon, three 8-year-old boys, Michael Moore, Steve Branch, and Christopher Byers, went missing in West Memphis, Arkansas. The next day, they were found in a drainage ditch in an area known as Robin Hood Hills. They had been murdered.

We cover the timeline of their disappearance, the search efforts,...

Mark as Played

In this episode, Alyssa and Michael McFarland, hosts of Tragedy: A True Crime Podcast, join the show. We discuss the unsolved murder of George “Jody” Kilgore, who was stabbed in his driveway, in broad daylight, on October 6, 2014. He was 50 years old.

For Michael, this case is deeply personal—Jody was his relative—and both he and Alyssa have devoted an entire season of their podcast to telling Jody’s story. In our conversat...

Mark as Played

In this third episode on the unsolved murder of Karina Holmer, geographic profiler Doug MacGregor joins the show. Doug takes a close look at the locations tied to Karina’s case and what they might reveal about the offender, his comfort zones, and the behaviors behind his choices. We also talk about how geographic profiling and behavioral analysis work together to help narrow the focus in an investigation.


To learn more ...

Mark as Played

We continue our analysis of the case of Karina Holmer, a 20-year-old au pair from Sweden who was last seen outside a nightclub in Boston in the early morning hours of June 22, 1996. On the afternoon of June 23, the upper half of her body was found in a trash bag in a dumpster about a mile from where she was last seen. We continue our review of the case facts, discuss victimology, and offer our observations about the offend...

Mark as Played

In this episode, we begin our examination of the June 1996 murder of Karina Holmer, a young au pair from Sweden working in the United States. Karina was last seen alive in the early morning hours of Saturday, June 22, in downtown Boston. The next day, her torso was discovered in a trash bag inside a dumpster, about a mile from where she was last seen. She had been severed at the waist. We discuss the known facts and the ev...

Mark as Played

In this episode, Investigator Rita Curley from the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Equal Opportunity Office joins the show. In addition to her role as an investigator, Rita draws on her background in law enforcement and her experience as a mother to a child with autism to train officers on recognizing and appropriately responding to individuals who may be neurodivergent. She dispels common misconceptions about autism...

Mark as Played

We continue our discussion of the murders of four University of Idaho students: Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin. The students were killed in Moscow, Idaho, on November 13, 2022. The offender pleaded guilty on July 2, 2025. We continue to explore motive, discuss how we would classify the killer behaviorally, and consider whether he was likely to kill again. Part 2 of 2.

You can follow The Con...

Mark as Played

We discuss the murders of four University of Idaho students: Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin. The students were killed in Moscow, Idaho, on November 13, 2022. We are covering this case now because Bryan Kohberger recently pleaded guilty on July 2, 2025. We review the known facts of the crime and analyze what they suggest about the offender’s behavior and possible motive. Part 1 of 2.


You...

Mark as Played
July 9, 2025 52 mins

In this episode of The Consult, I talk with Jill, host of Murder Shelf Book Club Podcast, a true crime book club in podcast format. Jill has a passion for digging into true crime stories through books, and she brings a thoughtful, well-researched approach to every case she covers.

We talk about how she chooses the books for her show, how our understanding of crime has changed over time, and how those shifts are reflected in...

Mark as Played

In this final installment, we continue our consultation with cold case investigator Jennifer Bucholtz and arson expert Alan Haskins from the American Military University Cold Case Team. We focus on understanding more about Linda Malcom in an effort to better understand her killer and complete our assessment of this unsolved 2008 murder.

You can follow The Consult on social media:

X/Twitter

Instagram

Facebook


For additional ...

Mark as Played

Cold case investigator Jennifer Bucholtz and arson investigator Alan Haskins return for Part 2 of our discussion about the 2008 unsolved murder of Linda Malcom in Port Orchard, Washington. In this episode, we continue examining the crime scene and discuss Linda’s victimology to better understand the offender’s potential motivations and opportunities.

You can follow The Consult on social media:

X/Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

For a...

Mark as Played

Cold case investigator Jennifer Bucholtz and arson investigator Alan Haskins join us to discuss the 2008 unsolved murder of 47-year-old Linda Malcom. Linda was found dead in the early morning hours of April 30, 2008, after a suspicious fire was reported at her home in Port Orchard, Washington. It was ultimately determined that Linda had been stabbed multiple times. In this episode, Jennifer and Alan walk us through the ear...

Mark as Played

Retired FBI profiler Julia Cowley is joined by Detectives Andrew Houghton and Matt Vartanian from the Elgin Police Department Cold Case Unit. Elgin PD recently launched a podcast titled Somebody Knows Something, which follows one of their active cold case investigations. We talk about the case, what led them to start the podcast, and how they balanced investigative integrity, public outreach, and storytelling. It’s a rare ...

Mark as Played

We’re joined once again by Ashland Oregon Police Chief Tighe O'Meara to discuss the 2011 unsolved murder of David Michael Grubbs. This time, we present our profile of the offender. Some of the characteristics in this profile are unique, and we believe that individuals who knew the offender may recognize them.

You can follow The Consult on social media:

X/Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

For additional information and resources, pleas...

Mark as Played

In this episode, we talk with Ashland Oregon Police Chief Tighe O'Meara about the 2011 unsolved murder of David Michael Grubbs. Chief O'Meara discusses the facts of the case, the challenges investigators have faced, and how the department continues to seek justice for David and his family. We also examine aspects of victimology to better understand David’s risk level.

You can follow The Consult on social media:

X/Twitter

Inst...

Mark as Played

In this episode, retired FBI profiler Julia Cowley talks with geographic profiler Douglas MacGregor about his background and how geographic profiling can aid investigations. They discuss the types of cases that benefit most from this approach and take a closer look at the Rachel Morin case and the Zodiac Killer.

To learn more about Douglas MacGregor and his work, please visit https://www.irisinvestigativestrategies.com


Y...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

    Cardiac Cowboys

    The heart was always off-limits to surgeons. Cutting into it spelled instant death for the patient. That is, until a ragtag group of doctors scattered across the Midwest and Texas decided to throw out the rule book. Working in makeshift laboratories and home garages, using medical devices made from scavenged machine parts and beer tubes, these men and women invented the field of open heart surgery. Odds are, someone you know is alive because of them. So why has history left them behind? Presented by Chris Pine, CARDIAC COWBOYS tells the gripping true story behind the birth of heart surgery, and the young, Greatest Generation doctors who made it happen. For years, they competed and feuded, racing to be the first, the best, and the most prolific. Some appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, operated on kings and advised presidents. Others ended up disgraced, penniless, and convicted of felonies. Together, they ignited a revolution in medicine, and changed the world.

    Crime Junkie

    Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

    The Breakfast Club

    The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.