Production Companies: Paramount Television, Touchstone Television, Paramount Network Television Productions, and The Mark Gordon Company
Producers: Edward Allen Bernero and Mark Gordon
Creator: Jeff Davis

Back for its fifth season, Criminal Minds continues to follow the work of an elite team of FBI profilers who probe the country's most perverse criminal minds, striving to predict their behavior and catch them before they strike again. The Behavioral Analysis Unit is lead by Aaron “Hotch” Hotchner, a family man who is able to gain people's trust and unlock their secrets. Also on the team are Emily Prentiss, an agent with friends in high government places; David Rossi, a criminologist who came out of retirement to rejoin the team; Derek Morgan, an expert on obsessive behavior; Dr. Spencer Reid, a genius who knows something about everything; and Jennifer "JJ" Jareau, the unit liaison for the team. Each episode sends the team somewhere in the U.S. to profile and catch crazed criminals by pinpointing motivations and identifying emotional triggers. This season, additional tension is present because one killer, Foyett, who attacked Hotch and threatened Hotch’s ex-wife and toddler son, is still at large. With his ex and son in witness protection hiding, Hotch is constantly on edge wondering when Foyett will strike again.

Violence is prevalent and graphic on Criminal Minds. Episodes have featured depictions of dead bodies, a woman held in a cage by her killer, the victim of an arsonist burning alive, and women being attacked by a serial rapist/murderer. One episode depicted a female serial killer who pierced the stomachs of her victims with a screwdriver to leave a pattern resembling a zodiac constellation in each one. Another recent episode depicted a man who dismembers victims, including close-ups on bloody, handless wrists. Sex on the series is related solely to violent crimes or sociopathic disorders, with frequent descriptions of sexual dysfunction such as premature ejaculation, the killer having abnormally small genitals, and similar content. Foul language used includes the words “ass,” euphemisms for the f-word, “hell,” “son of a bitch,” “bastard,” and “damn.”

Criminal Minds is not recommended for viewers under age 18.

RATINGS
Sex	Language	Violence	Overall

Ratings Legend Show may include gratuitous sex, explicit dialogue, violent content, or obscene language, and is unsuitable for children. The show contains adult-oriented themes and dialogue that may be inappropriate for youngsters. Family-friendly show promoting responsible themes and traditional values. Not yet rated by the PTC. Full Week | Printable Version | Green Shows | Yellow Shows | Red Shows | All Shows