The second season of Criminal Minds premiered on CBS on September 20, 2006, and ended on May 16, 2007. Lola Glaudini left the show after six episodes and was replaced by Paget Brewster three episodes later while Kirsten Vangsness was promoted to the official main cast after previously being listed as also starring in season 1.
In the season premiere "The Fisher King (Part II)", Jeff Marchelletta guest-starred as Elle Greenaway's deceased father, Robert, in a dream sequence while Elle is in surgery. In the episode "P911", Mary Page Keller guest-starred as Supervisory Special Agent Katherine Cole, a former BAU Agent who is now the Unit Chief of the Crimes Against Children Unit, and is investigating a young boy who is at risk of being sold to a pedophile in an online auction. John Rubinstein guest-starred as Principal Hayden Rawlings, a pedophile and one of the bidders for the auction, despite claiming that he tried to rescue the boy from his captor. In the episode "The Perfect Storm", Nicki Aycox guest-starred as Amber Canardo, a rape victim who abducts and murders women. Her partner in crime is her husband, Tony Canardo, played by Brad Rowe.
In the episode "Psychodrama", Jason Wiles guest-starred as Caleb Dale Sheppard, aka "The Stripping Bandit", a meth-addicted bank robber who forces bystanders to strip naked. In the episode "Aftermath", Jason London guest-starred as William Lee, a serial rapist who impregnates his victims, and is later murdered by Elle Greenaway. Dahlia Salem guest-starred as Detective Maggie Callahan, who leads the investigation of the rapes. In the episode "The Boogeyman", Elle Fanning guest-starred as Tracy Belle, an elementary school student who is nearly murdered by child killer Jeffrey Charles, played by Cameron Monaghan. Sean Bridgers guest-starred as Jeffrey's father, James, who was the prime suspect in the murders.
In the episode "North Mammon", Mimi Michaels guest-starred as Brooke Chambers, a soccer jock who, along with her two best friends, is abducted, and are forced to choose which one of them will be murdered. Kelly Kruger guest-starred as Kelly Seymour, the one who eventually dies. In the episode "Empty Planet", Jamie Elman guest-starred as Kenneth Roberts, a serial bomber who goes by the alias of "Allegro", the main character from his favorite science fiction novel. JoBeth Williams guest-starred as Ursula Kent, a Professor who is held hostage by Kenneth. In the episode "The Last Word", Jason O'Mara guest-starred as The Mill Creek Killer, a serial killer competing against The Hollow Man for recognition for their crimes.
In the episode "Lessons Learned" Anthony Azizi guest-starred as Jamal Abaza, a Guantanamo Bay inmate who is a member of a terrorist organization called "Militant Islamic Society." Kevin Chapman guest-starred as FBI Agent Andrew Bingham, who aids the BAU in preventing an attempted bombing at a newly opened mall. In the episode "Sex, Birth, Death", Jessica Tuck guest-starred as Dr. Sarah Harris, a doctor who is desperate to help stop her son's homicidal urges and fantasies. In the episode "Profiler, Profiled", Erica Gimpel guest-starred as Sarah Morgan, Derek Morgan's elder sister.
In the episode "No Way Out", Keith Carradine guest-starred as one of the series most notorious criminals, Frank Breitkopf. Amy Madigan guest-starred as Frank's love interest, Jane Hanratty. In the episodes "The Big Game" and "Revelations", James Van Der Beek guest-starred as Tobias Hankel, a delusional serial killer who is following in the footsteps of his father Charles. Cullen Douglas guest-starred as Dr. Tony Wilson. In the episode "Distress", Holt McCallany guest-starred as Roy Woodridge, a former U.S. Army Ranger who suffers delusional visions of people who appear to him as Somali soldiers. Nick Chinlund guest-starred as Max Weston. In the episode "Jones", Simone Kessell guest-starred as Sarah Danlin, a Jack the Ripper copycat who was once helped by William LaMontagne, Jr.'s father before she became a killer.
In the episode "Honor Among Thieves", Kate Jackson guest-starred as Emily Prentiss' mother, Elizabeth, who aids the BAU in searching for a missing Russian immigrant. In the episode "Open Season", Jim Parrack and Jake Richardson guest-starred as Paul and Johnny Mulford, a pair of brothers who kidnap and hunt several people in the woods. Laura Allen guest-starred as Bobbi Baird, a woman who is abducted and hunted by the Mulford brothers. In the season finale "No Way Out II: The Evilution of Frank", Keith Carradine and Amy Madigan reprise as Frank Breitkopf and Jane Hanratty, respectively. Elle Fanning reprises as Tracy Belle, who is abducted by Frank.
As the BAU continues to decipher the clues left behind by psychopathic killer Randall Garner (Charles Haid), Reid uncovers a personal connection that could solve the case. Elle finds herself fighting for her life after being shot in her own home.
When a missing boy turns up in an online auction, the BAU works with former profiler Katherine Cole (Mary Page Keller) and the FBI's Innocent Images Unit to save the boy's life. Hotch and Reid grow increasingly concerned about Elle when she returns from medical leave.
When a series of murders in Jacksonville, Florida escalates to include psychological attacks on the victim's families, the BAU suspects the crimes were committed by two people working together as a team.
When a Los Angeles, California bank robber escalates from making his victims undress to putting their lives on the line, the BAU sets out to catch him before he strikes again. Hotch's relationship with Haley grows increasingly tense.
When a Dayton, Ohio serial rapist resumes his spree following a six-week hiatus, the BAU works with local authorities to implement an elaborate strategy to catch him. Elle makes a decision that promises to send shockwaves through the team.
With Elle placed on psychological evaluation and Hotch keeping an eye on her, the remaining members of the BAU set out to track down an Ozona, Texas, serial killer responsible for the violent deaths of several young children.
When three Pennsylvania teenage girls are abducted on the night of a pep rally, the BAU finds themselves forced to profile an entire town. JJ struggles with personal demons and the team continues to reel from Elle's abrupt departure.
When a bomber targets technologically advanced institutions throughout Seattle, the BAU sets out to determine whether he is acting alone and what his ulterior motives are.
When two women are found dead in St. Louis, Missouri, the BAU searches for two serial killers who are attempting to outdo each other. Hotch grows suspicious of Emily Prentiss (Paget Brewster), a prospective new team member eager to prove that she deserves a place on the team.
When a chemical bomb is found during a DEA raid, Gideon, Reid, and Prentiss travel to Guantanamo Bay detention camp to interrogate the leader of a sleeper cell while the remaining members of the BAU set out to prevent an attack on U.S. soil.
When several prostitutes are found dead throughout the Washington metropolitan area, Reid suspects a troubled high school student (Anton Yelchin) is responsible for the heinous crimes; Hotch enters the world of dirty politics after a political heavyweight (Mel Harris) forces him to keep the case quiet.
When Morgan is labeled the prime suspect in a series of murders, the BAU juggles clearing his name and convincing a headstrong Chicago detective (Skipp Sudduth). Hotch unearths a secret that makes him question everything he thought he knew about Morgan's past.
Investigating a series of murders in Golconda, Nevada, the BAU must find out both why a mysterious man (Keith Carradine) keeps coming back every year and where his latest victims are.
When an Atlanta, Georgia suburban couple is slashed to death in their home on the night of the Super Bowl, the BAU sets out to track down a religious killing team, only for one of their own to face a life-threatening situation.
When multiple personality disorder-suffering serial killer Tobias Hankel (James Van Der Beek) abducts Reid, the BAU juggles rescuing their colleague and preventing Tobias from taking another life. In captivity, Reid finds himself flashing back to his troubled childhood.
When four African-American women and one Caucasian man are found dead in Peekskill, New York, the BAU unearths a sinister motive. Reid struggles to overcome his addiction to Dilaudid as he relives being tortured and drugged.
When a series of murders occur throughout Houston, Texas, the BAU suspects they are dealing with a homeless man who is against gentrification. Prentiss notices a sudden change in Reid's behavior.
When a New Orleans, Louisiana serial killer resumes his crime spree after being presumed dead for two years, the BAU works with NOPD detective William LaMontagne Jr. (Josh Stewart) to decipher the only clue they have to go on. Reid continues to struggle with the aftermath of being taken hostage by Tobias.
When two San Francisco, California families are burned to death while they sleep, the BAU determines both sets of victims are linked through a radical environmentalist group that uses fire to spread their message.
When a Russian immigrant is abducted from his Baltimore, Maryland home and held for ransom, the BAU works with Prentiss' estranged mother, Ambassador Elizabeth Prentiss (Kate Jackson), to determine the kidnapper's identity.
When three people are found dead in a remote region of Idaho's Boise National Forest and a fourth is reported missing, the BAU sets out to profile and track down a pair of killers who hunt their victims for sport.
When a Kansas City, Kansas detective arrives in Quantico with information concerning a series of mysterious disappearances, the BAU sets out to catch a mission-oriented killer who believes they are doing the world a service by killing homeless people.
When prolific serial killer Frank Breitkopf (Keith Carradine) breaks into Gideon's apartment and kills his girlfriend, the BAU finds themselves forced to profile both men as they circumvent local authorities and spearhead their own investigation. BAU Section Chief Erin Strauss (Jayne Atkinson) blackmails an agent into providing inside information on Hotch's methods.