What is unsub?

"Unsub" is a term commonly used in criminal investigations and television crime dramas, particularly in series like "Criminal Minds." It stands for "unknown subject" and refers to an unidentified individual who is suspected of committing a crime. In the context of profiling, the unsub is the target of investigation and analysis, often used to denote a suspect whose identity has not yet been conclusively determined.

In "Criminal Minds," the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) of the FBI uses criminal profiling to identify unsubs in various cases, focusing on understanding their behavior, motives, and characteristics to apprehend them before they can commit further crimes. Each episode typically revolves around uncovering the identity and motive of the unsub, using psychological and investigative techniques.

Outside of fictional series, the term is sometimes used in real life by law enforcement agencies to describe suspects whose identities are not yet known, but who are suspected based on available evidence or behavioral patterns.