The article provides a comprehensive analysis of criminological profiling methods for serial killers, their effectiveness, and role in preventing serial crimes. The main profiling methods are identified, including criminal-analytical, psychological, geographical, linguistic, and digital. A detailed analysis of psychological profiling used to determine the motivation and behavioral characteristics of serial killers is conducted. Geographical profiling allows for determining the offender’s zone of activity, which increases the effectiveness of search and apprehension of suspects. Linguistic profiling, based on the analysis of writing style and language features, enables the establishment of authorship of anonymous messages and threats. Digital analysis, particularly the OSINT method and artificial intelligence algorithms, significantly expands law enforcement capabilities in tracking and profiling criminals in cyberspace. It is established that the optimal strategy for preventing serial homicides is a combined approach using digital analysis, criminal analytics, geoprofiling, and psychological analysis.

Key words: criminological profiling, profiling, method, criminological research methodology, crime, offender personality, serial homicides, violent crime, forecasting, crime prevention.

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