Analyst Talk - Brandy Schiber - Seeing What Others Overlooked

Episode: 00318 Released on May 11, 2026 Description:  What happens when an analyst trusts the data even when no one else does?
This week on Analyst Talk with Jason Elder, host Jason Elder sits down with Brandy Schiber to discuss her unique journey into law enforcement analysis, from studying psychology and criminal behavior to becoming a respected intelligence analyst and instructor. Brandy shares how professors helped shape her path away from clinical psychology and into intelligence analysis, where her passion for understanding behavior and identifying patterns found a home.
Brandy dives into several career defining cases, including a multi state serial robbery investigation where predictive analysis identified the exact gas station the offender would target next. She also opens up about difficult lessons involving office politics, integrity, and the emotional toll of cases where analysts are not heard quickly enough. The conversation explores intelligence led policing, geographic profiling, the importance of internships, returning to the profession after time away, and how analysts can continue learning throughout their careers. Brandy also discusses her work with International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts and her efforts to strengthen outreach and support for analysts entering the field.

From predictive analysis to professional integrity, this episode is a powerful reminder that analysts must stay curious, stay ethical, and always let the data tell the story. 🎧 Listen, share, and keep talking! [Note:  Description produced by ChatGPT.]

Name Drops: Steve Young (00:05:18), Patrick Lewis (00:06:59), Jason Warren (00:21:08), Kim Rossmo (00:28:42), Betty Pitel/Sylvia Gomez (00:55:22) Ben Marconi (01:06:32), Phil Powell/Olivia Moore/Kelly Kimsey (01:18:00), Jerry Ratcliffe (01:29:31)
Public Service Announcements:
Robert Aboumitri (https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/analyst-talk-robert-aboumitri-the-triple-v-analyst/)
Megan Cruz (https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/analyst-talk-megan-cruz-from-burnout-to-leadership/)
Dr. Greg Thomas (https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/analyst-talk-dr-greg-thomas-%e2%80%93-from-organized-crime-to-geoint/)
Related Links:
www.ialeia.org
Geographic Profiling - https://www.ecricanada.com/
https://www.amazon.com/Mans-Search-Meaning-Viktor-Frankl/dp/0807014273
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17899948-rebecca
https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Keys-Freemasonry-Also-Fraternity/dp/B002X7QPQ6
Association(s) Mentioned: IALEIA
Vendor(s) Mentioned:
Contact:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandy-thomas-ms/ 
Transcript:  https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/jakkkppiksp7zupj/BrandySchiber_transcript.pdf 
Podcast Writer:
Podcast Researcher:
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00:30:12 – Break: Aboumitri, Cruz, & Thomas

00:00:17 – Introducing Brandy
00:09:13 – Eidetic memory and dyslexia discussion
00:13:42 – Why graduate school became necessary
00:19:11 – Graduate internship with Texas OIG
00:22:53 – Moving to South Carolina and CompStat work
00:27:24 – Break: Aboumitri, Cruz, & Thomas
00:28:42 – Predicting a serial robbery suspect’s next target
00:40:30 – Serial offender investigations in San Antonio
00:45:27 – Office politics and analyst integrity
00:50:39 – The serial rapist investigation
01:05:19 – Break: Aboumitri, Cruz, & Thomas
01:06:16 – Leaving analysis to become an instructor
01:08:53 – Returning to the profession after five years away
01:16:05 – Building IALEIA strategic outreach
01:25:29 – Brandy’s passion for reading and psychology
01:29:31 – Words to the World: Be a lifelong learner