<P> Penelope Grace Garcia is a fictional character on the CBS crime dramas Criminal Minds and its short - lived spin - off Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior, portrayed by Kirsten Vangsness . She is the technical analyst of the Behavioral Analysis Unit that is the center of both shows . She also made a guest appearance during season 1 of Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders, making her the only character in the franchise to appear in all three series in the franchise . </P> <P> Garcia is from San Francisco . A drunk driver killed her parents in a car accident when she was eighteen, and she now helps counsel the families of murder victims in her spare time . Garcia has stated that after her parents died, she dropped out of Caltech and went "underground" but continued to teach herself computer coding . She had been placed on one of the FBI's hacker lists (she was one of a small handful of extremely useful or dangerous hackers in the world), and they recruited her from there . It has also been mentioned, when she was not allowed to travel with the team to Langley, that she was on the CIA's "lists" as well . JJ joked that Garcia belonged to that list when she (unsuccessfully) tried to hack the CIA for information (namely, Prince William's phone number) and information on Diana, Princess of Wales' death and other government conspiracies . </P> <P> Penelope is into online games, specifically MMOGs, as she was once seen playing a game about Camelot on the BAU network, constantly virtually meeting with "Sir Kneighf", an online alter ego who turns out to be Randall Garner, who is keeping a young woman prisoner while sending the team several clues that, with tremendous help from Reid, they use to catch him and save the woman . Garner hacked into Garcia's computer and accessed files about the BAU, then used the personal information to find out their whereabouts so he could send the clues there . Hotch states at one point that when Garcia applied for her position, she submitted her resume on "pink, homemade stationery ." </P> <P> She is flamboyant, fun - loving, and provides the rest of the team with comic relief . She is very confident in her ability to find answers, and often answers her office phone with a know - it - all, yet joking, attitude (e.g.' The Office of Unmitigated Superiority',' Penelope's house of "how may I save your ass today?"',' Fount of all knowledge, check my flow!', or similar). This self - confidence is fed by Morgan, who often initiates flirtatious banter, including calling her' Baby Girl', which Garcia seems to enjoy . However, this banter has placed her in some awkward situations, such as when she opens up a phone conversation with a funny inappropriate comment, thinking it's Morgan, and it turns out to be a superior on speakerphone . Although they haven't pursued a romantic relationship, Garcia has shown mild jealousy, e.g. at Morgan dancing with other women . She has cried twice when she thought Morgan was dead, and he has in turn had strong reactions when Garcia is in harm's way . </P>

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