• Air date: 22 Sep '10 24 episodes
      The sixth season of Criminal Minds premiered on CBS on September 22, 2010 and ended May 18, 2011. A.J. Cook appeared as a series regular for two episodes, and as a special guest star in two episodes, due to contract negotiations. Paget Brewster was a regular for eighteen episodes, but returned in the seventh season premiere. Rachel Nichols appeared as a guest star for two episodes and was then promoted as a regular, but departed after the season finale. The opening sequence was changed as of this season, more sound and visual effects were added as well as the theme song itself being amplified, an electric guitar playing being added.
  • List of Episodes (24)
    • 1. The Longest Night

      22 Sep '10
      The BAU team closes in on the serial killer as he continues his murder spree throughout Los Angeles - with Detective Spicer's kidnapped daughter as his hostage - in the conclusion of last season's cliffhanger.
    • 2. JJ

      29 Sep '10
      While JJ attempts to reunite a family whose daughter has mysteriously disappeared, her BAU family braces for the loss of one of their own.
    • 3. Rememberance of Things Past

      06 Oct '10
      When several women in Herndon, Virginia, are found murdered in a similar manner, SSA David Rossi reopens an unsolved cold case that has haunted him for a quarter of a century because he believes the original killer, who is suffering from Alzheimer's Disease, might have returned.
    • 4. Compromising Positions

      13 Oct '10
      The team searches for a serial killer who is preying on married couples; Hotchner looks to a team member to fill JJ's vacant role.
    • 5. Safe Haven

      20 Oct '10
      The team pursues a serial killer targeting families in the Midwest; Morgan receives a visit from Ellie after she runs away from her foster family.
    • 6. Devil's Night

      27 Oct '10
      The team searches for a killer who has struck the past three years during Detroit's raucous pre-Halloween celebrations.
    • 7. Middle Man

      03 Nov '10
      The BAU must catch a group of serial killers that is killing exotic dancers and leaving their bodies in the cornfields of Indiana.
    • 8. Reflection of Desire

      10 Nov '10
      The BAU becomes involved in the search for a kidnapped woman in the nation's capital after the body of a second kidnap victim is found in a Georgetown alley.
    • 9. Into The Woods

      17 Nov '10
      When an 8-year-old is found murdered on the Appalachian Trail, the BAU team goes deep into its forests in search of a man lurking in the wilderness who is targeting children.
    • 10. What Happens at Home

      08 Dec '10
      The BAU searches inside a gated New Mexico community for a killer targeting women, and Hotchner looks to an FBI cadet with a unique past for help with the investigation.
    • 11. 25 to Life

      15 Dec '10
      Morgan suggests that a man has been rehabilitated and aids in his parole, but later regrets his decision when the man murders someone days after being released.
    • 12. Corazon

      19 Jan '11
      A series of bizarre, ritualistic murders brings the team to Miami; Reid experiences hallucinations and blinding headaches.
    • 13. The Thirteenth Step

      26 Jan '11
      The BAU hits the road to track down a pair of young lovers on an interstate murder spree. Also, Prentiss hears frightening news from her former boss at Interpol.
    • 14. Sense Memory

      09 Feb '11
      The team investigates unusual murders in Los Angeles, and more information about Prentiss' past arises.
    • 15. Today I Do

      16 Feb '11
      The BAU is called to upstate New York to investigate mysterious disappearances. Also, Prentiss gets some disturbing news about one of her former Interpol colleagues.
    • 16. Coda

      23 Feb '11
      Prentiss enlists two former friends from Interpol to track down an old enemy, as Reid discovers clues that could help the BAU locate the parents of an autistic boy.
    • 17. Valhalla

      02 Mar '11
      After a series of murders, Prentiss becomes suspicious of a former nemesis (Sebastian Roché) and fears for the safety of her team.
    • 18. Lauren

      16 Mar '11
      As Prentiss faces off against Ian Doyle, JJ receives a call and returns to help them find Prentiss and capture Doyle before it's too late.
    • 19. With Friends Like These...

      30 Mar '11
      The BAU travels to Portland to investigate a suspected gang of murderers targeting a new victim each night.
    • 20. Hanley Waters

      06 Apr '11
      The BAU members investigate targeted killings in Tampa as they cope with their feelings about losing Emily Prentiss.
    • 21. The Stranger

      13 Apr '11
      The BAU hunts a stalker in San Diego who is targeting college students. Meanwhile, the team comes under Strauss' scrutiny in the wake of the loss of Prentiss.
    • 22. Out of the Light

      04 May '11
      The BAU is called to a North Carolina resort town after a woman is found badly injured and another woman is missing. On arrival, the team discovers these two women are not the only victims.
    • 23. Big Sea

      11 May '11
      When the BAU is called to Florida after bodies are discovered buried in the ocean floor off the Jacksonville coast, the case hits home for Morgan because his aunt fears her missing daughter could be one of the victims.
    • 24. Supply and Demand

      18 May '11
      As the BAU searches for a suspected human trafficking ring when the bodies of two missing persons are found in the trunk of a car, Unit Chief Aaron Hotchner intimates there could be changes within the team due to budget cuts as Jennifer "JJ" Jareau returns to the FBI. The team is also assisted by SSA Andi Swan, the head of the Domestic Trafficking Task Force.