An experienced Australian Federal Police officer appears to have taken her own life on Sunday at the force's headquarters in Canberra, the fourth member of the force to do so at work in two years.

The woman was understood to be a mother and had served about 15 years with the AFP in a variety of roles.

"The AFP can confirm that on Sunday, 9 December 2018, a member of the AFP appears to have taken her own life," a spokesman said.

It was the second time in just six weeks that an AFP member has taken their own life at the Edmund Barton Building, the Canberra headquarters for the force, prompting expressions of concern by AFP sources.