31 Criminal Minds Trivia Questions

“Criminal Minds” is a beloved crime drama series that captivated viewers with its thrilling cases and complex characters for 15 seasons. 

If you’re a die-hard fan of the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) and their quest to profile and catch serial killers, kidnappers, and other criminals, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test. 

In this blog post, we have compiled a list of some amazing “Criminal Minds” trivia questions that will challenge even the most dedicated fans. 

So, grab a pen and paper, or gather your friends for a trivia night, and let’s see how well you know the world of “Criminal Minds.”

Criminal Minds Trivia Questions

1. In the show, Dr. Spencer Reid has an eidetic memory. In which season and episode is it first revealed that he can read 20,000 words per minute, and which character is with him during this revelation?
   
   
2. Throughout the series, the character Penelope Garcia serves as the team’s technical analyst. In her backstory, it’s mentioned that she was once arrested. What was the reason for her arrest, and how did this incident lead to her joining the BAU?
   
   
3. “Criminal Minds” often features quotes at the beginning and end of episodes. In the season 5 finale, a specific quote is used. What is this quote, who originally said it, and in which context is it used in the episode?
   
   
4. The character Derek Morgan has a traumatic backstory involving a childhood incident. What exactly happened to him as a child, and how does this past trauma resurface and affect his role in the BAU?
   
   
5. Jennifer Jareau, known as JJ, undergoes significant character development throughout the series. In which episode does she officially become a profiler, and what event or case contributes to this change in her career path?
   
   
6. The show features various serial killers with intricate backstories and methodologies. In season 4, the team pursues a killer known as “The Reaper.” What is the real name of this killer, and what is unique about his killing method and interaction with the BAU team?
   
   
7. Dr. Spencer Reid faces a personal crisis involving a family member in multiple episodes. Specifically, his mother is battling a mental health condition. What is her diagnosis, and how does this aspect of Reid’s personal life influence his character and decisions in the show?
   
   
8. Each member of the BAU has a distinct personal life outside of their work. In what season and episode does Aaron Hotchner’s marital status change significantly, and what are the circumstances leading to this change?
   
   
9. Who was the first team member to be shot in the line of duty on the show, in which season and episode did it happen, and who was the unsub responsible?
   
   
10. The character Emily Prentiss has a complex history involving her mother. What position does her mother hold, and how does this impact Emily’s character and the storylines she’s involved in?
    
    
11. In the show, there’s an episode where the team investigates a series of murders linked to a popular social media platform. Which episode is this, and what is the unique aspect of these murders?
    
    
12. “Criminal Minds” often uses flashbacks to develop characters. Which episode features a flashback to Spencer Reid’s childhood, and what significant aspect of his past is revealed?
    
    
13. The show includes a storyline where a team member’s brother is suspected of murder. Which team member is it, what’s the name of the brother, and how is the situation resolved?
    
    
14. In what season and episode does the BAU team first encounter the serial killer known as “The Fox,” and what is his signature method of murder?
    
    
15. There is a recurring character who is a novelist and writes about the cases of the BAU. What is the name of this character, and in which episodes does he appear?
    
    
16. The character of Aaron Hotchner is known for his stoic demeanor. In which episode do we first see Hotchner smile, and what is the context of this moment?
    
    
17. Which episode features a unique narrative style where the story is told from the perspective of the unsub, and what is the main storyline of this episode?
    
    
18. In the series, a team member has a phobia of flying. Who is this character, and how is this phobia addressed in the show?
    
    
19. What is the name of the episode where the team investigates a series of murders in Alaska, and what is unique about the team’s approach in this case?
    
    
20. The show delves into the personal life of Penelope Garcia. What traumatic event happens to her in Season 3, and how does this affect her character?
    
    
21. In which episode does the character of David Rossi rejoin the BAU, and what is the reason given for his return?
    
    
22. The BAU team often works with local law enforcement. In one episode, they work with a sheriff who turns out to be the unsub. Which episode is this, and what is the sheriff’s motive?
    
    
23. Dr. Spencer Reid struggles with a health issue in one of the seasons. What is the issue, and in which season does it occur?
    
    
24. Jennifer Jareau goes through a significant personal event in Season 4. What is this event, and how does it impact her role in the team?
    
    
25. In one episode, the team deals with an unsub who believes he is acting out a real-life superhero fantasy. What is the title of this episode, and how do they resolve the case?
    
    
26. The series often references real-life criminal cases or events. Name an episode that clearly parallels a real criminal case, and describe the similarities.
    
    
27. The character of Derek Morgan has a special nickname for Penelope Garcia. What is it, and in what episode is it first used?
    
    
28. In which episode does the BAU team deal with a case involving a cult, and what is unique about this cult’s beliefs or practices?
    
    
29. There’s an episode where the team investigates a series of murders connected to a community’s dark secret. Which episode is this, and what is the secret?
    
    
30. Who is the last member to join the BAU team in the original series, and in which season and episode does this occur?
    
    
31. The show often features guest stars. Name a notable guest star who appeared on the show and the character they played.

Answers

1. Dr. Spencer Reid reveals his ability to read 20,000 words per minute in Season 1, Episode 4 (“Plain Sight”). He shares this fact with Derek Morgan while they are on a plane.
   
   
2. Penelope Garcia was arrested for illegal hacking activities. Her skills impressed the FBI, leading to her recruitment into the BAU to use her expertise for positive outcomes.
   
   
3. The quote used in the Season 5 finale is “I’m not saying goodbye to you.” This quote is an original line from the show, spoken by character Aaron Hotchner in a poignant moment as he contemplates the fate of his team and his own future.
   
   
4. As a child, Derek Morgan was sexually abused by a local community leader named Carl Buford. This trauma is a significant part of Morgan’s backstory and influences his strong empathy towards victims of similar crimes throughout his time in the BAU.
   
   
5. JJ becomes a profiler in Season 11, Episode 1 (“The Job”). Her transition to this role is influenced by her accumulated experiences and skills developed while handling media and liaison responsibilities for the team.
   
   
6. “The Reaper,” whose real name is George Foyet, is unique in his method of killing by targeting families and often leaving one member alive to suffer. His interaction with the BAU is personal and direct, particularly with Aaron Hotchner, whom he targets specifically.
   
   
7. Dr. Reid’s mother, Diana Reid, suffers from schizophrenia. This aspect of his personal life deeply affects Reid, influencing his empathy for victims and their families and his fear of inheriting the same condition.
   
   
8. Aaron Hotchner’s marital status changes in Season 3, Episode 2 (“In Name and Blood”), when he separates from his wife Haley due to the strain his job places on their family life. This change significantly affects Hotchner’s character development and personal storyline in the series.
   
   
9. Elle Greenaway was the first team member shot in the line of duty, in Season 1, Episode 6 (“L.D.S.K.”), by an unsub known as the Long-Distance Serial Killer.
   
   
10. Emily Prentiss’s mother, Elizabeth Prentiss, is an ambassador. This impacts Emily’s life as she grew up moving from country to country and influences some of her storylines, especially those involving international issues.
    
    
11. The episode is Season 7, Episode 22 (“Profiling 101”). The murders are unique because the unsub uses the social media platform to choose his victims based on their posts.
    
    
12. A flashback to Spencer Reid’s childhood is featured in Season 4, Episode 6 (“Memoriam”), revealing his father’s absence and his mother’s struggle with schizophrenia.
    
    
13. The team member is Derek Morgan, and the brother is named Desmond. The situation is resolved when it’s revealed that Desmond was framed, in Season 2, Episode 12 (“Profiler, Profiled”).
    
    
14. The team first encounters “The Fox” in Season 1, Episode 7 (“The Fox”). His signature method involves killing entire families.
    
    
15. The novelist character is named Harrison Scott, appearing in Season 2, Episode 14 (“The Big Game”) and Season 2, Episode 15 (“Revelations”).
    
    
16. Aaron Hotchner first smiles in Season 1, Episode 14 (“Riding the Lightning”), during a moment of connection with his wife and son.
    
    
17. The episode with the unsub’s perspective is Season 2, Episode 15 (“Revelations”), focusing on Reid’s capture and torture by an unsub.
    
    
18. The character with a phobia of flying is Dr. Spencer Reid, and it is addressed various times, notably in Season 1, Episode 1 (“Extreme Aggressor”).
    
    
19. The Alaska episode is Season 1, Episode 23 (“The Fisher King, Part 1”). The team’s approach is unique because they are dealing with a personal quest set by the unsub.
    
    
20. Penelope Garcia is shot in Season 3, Episode 9 (“Penelope”), deeply affecting her emotionally and impacting her relationships with other team members.
    
    
21. David Rossi rejoins the BAU in Season 3, Episode 6 (“About Face”). He returns from retirement to finish some unfinished business and to solve a case that has haunted him.
    
    
22. The episode with the sheriff as the unsub is Season 2, Episode 13 (“No Way Out”). His motive is rooted in his desire to rid the community of what he sees as moral decay.
    
    
23. Dr. Spencer Reid suffers from headaches and hallucinations in Season 6, particularly highlighted in the episode “Corazon.”
    
    
24. JJ’s significant event in Season 4 is her pregnancy and subsequent maternity leave, affecting her role in the team and her perspective on cases involving children.
    
    
25. The superhero fantasy episode is Season 4, Episode 6 (“The Instincts”), resolved by the team understanding the unsub’s delusions and apprehending him before he can harm more people.
    
    
26. A clear parallel is drawn in Season 4, Episode 22 (“The Big Wheel”), which mirrors aspects of the Jeffrey Dahmer case in its portrayal of a socially awkward, remorseful serial killer.
    
    
27. Derek Morgan’s nickname for Penelope Garcia is “Baby Girl.” It is first used in Season 1 but becomes a regular term of endearment throughout the series.
    
    
28. The cult episode is Season 4, Episode 19 (“House on Fire”). The cult’s belief in purification through fire is a central aspect of the plot.
    
    
29. In Season 2, Episode 6 (“The Boogeyman”), the team discovers the community’s secret of covering up a series of child molestations to maintain their reputation.
    
    
30. The last member to join in the original series is Alex Blake, who joins in Season 8, Episode 1 (“The Silencer”).
    
    
31. A notable guest star is Jane Lynch, who played Dr. Spencer Reid’s mother, Diana Reid, appearing in various episodes and adding depth to Reid’s personal backstory.