When did the FBI form the BAU?

The mission of the BAU is to provide behavioral based investigative and operational support by applying case experience, research, and training to complex and time-sensitive crimes, typically involving acts or threats of violence. The program areas addressed include Crimes Against Children, Crimes Against Adults, Communicated Threats, Corruption, and Bombing and Arson Investigations. The FBI's BAU was established in the early seventies by a group of agents who interviewed scores of offenders to try to figure why they committed their crimes. Among the criminals interviewed were Charles Manson, Sirhan Sirhan, John Wayne Gacy, James Earl Ray, and the Son of Sam - David Berkowitz.