<Li> Penelope Garcia (Kirsten Vangsness), BAU technical analyst and BAU communications liaison (seasons 2--present; recurring season 1). Garcia joined the BAU after bringing attention to herself by illegally accessing some of their equipment; she is offered a job in lieu of a jail sentence . She submitted her resume to Hotch on pink stationery . She usually supports the team from her computer lab at Quantico but occasionally joins them on location when her skills can be used in the field . She is a leader in a support group for those who have lost someone in their lives . Her parents were killed by a drunk driver when they were out looking for her when she was a teen and had missed her curfew . She enjoys a flirtatious relationship with SSA Derek Morgan, often engaging in comical banter of a sexually suggestive nature when he calls in for information . He calls her "Baby Girl ." She was once shot and almost killed by Jason Clark Battle, who lured her on a date in the episode "Lucky" (season 3). When SSA Jennifer Jareau leaves the BAU, Penelope and Unit Chief Aaron Hotchner take over her job as communications liaison . She is kidnapped ince again at the end os seaon 13 . SSA Sam Cooper (Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior) often calls when his team needs her computer skills . Penelope is the godmother of Jennifer's son, Henry, and the godmother of Morgan's son, Hank . </Li> <Li> Emily Prentiss (Paget Brewster), supervisory special agent and BAU Unit Chief (seasons 2--7, 12--present; guest seasons 9, 11) </Li> <Dl> <Dd> Prentiss is the daughter of Ambassador Elizabeth Prentiss (Kate Jackson). After SSA Elle Greenaway leaves the BAU, Assistant Director Strauss approves Emily to join the BAU . The plan was for Emily to report any problems within the BAU, but Emily remained loyal to the team and refused to report any problems, going so far as threatening resignation . Emily is also fluent in several languages, such as Spanish, French, Greek, and Arabic, has a working knowledge in Italian, and was fluent in Russian at one point but has lost comprehension . She is apparently killed while being held hostage by Ian Doyle in the episode "Lauren" (season 6), but in the last scene of the episode, it is revealed that she survived her encounter with Ian and is seen with SSA Jennifer Jareau in Paris passing her passports and bank accounts for protection . In the season 7 premiere ("It Takes a Village"), she returns alive and well, much to the team's surprise . In the season 7 finale ("Run"), Emily decides to leave the BAU after accepting a position running and returning to the Interpol office in London . She returns for the 200th episode to help rescue a kidnapped SSA Jennifer Jareau and again in the episode "Tribute" (season 11), where she enlists the help of the BAU in catching a serial killer who had originally killed in Europe before killing in the United States . Paget Brewster was confirmed to return for a several episode arc in season 12 . Following the dismissal of Thomas Gibson, Brewster was promoted to a series regular again starting from season 12, episode 3; later Prentiss is promoted to Hotch's position of unit chief . </Dd> </Dl> <Dd> Prentiss is the daughter of Ambassador Elizabeth Prentiss (Kate Jackson). After SSA Elle Greenaway leaves the BAU, Assistant Director Strauss approves Emily to join the BAU . The plan was for Emily to report any problems within the BAU, but Emily remained loyal to the team and refused to report any problems, going so far as threatening resignation . Emily is also fluent in several languages, such as Spanish, French, Greek, and Arabic, has a working knowledge in Italian, and was fluent in Russian at one point but has lost comprehension . She is apparently killed while being held hostage by Ian Doyle in the episode "Lauren" (season 6), but in the last scene of the episode, it is revealed that she survived her encounter with Ian and is seen with SSA Jennifer Jareau in Paris passing her passports and bank accounts for protection . In the season 7 premiere ("It Takes a Village"), she returns alive and well, much to the team's surprise . In the season 7 finale ("Run"), Emily decides to leave the BAU after accepting a position running and returning to the Interpol office in London . She returns for the 200th episode to help rescue a kidnapped SSA Jennifer Jareau and again in the episode "Tribute" (season 11), where she enlists the help of the BAU in catching a serial killer who had originally killed in Europe before killing in the United States . Paget Brewster was confirmed to return for a several episode arc in season 12 . Following the dismissal of Thomas Gibson, Brewster was promoted to a series regular again starting from season 12, episode 3; later Prentiss is promoted to Hotch's position of unit chief . </Dd>

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