What is the meaning of Modus Operandi (MO) in criminal investigations?

Modus Operandi (MO) refers to the specific patterns and methods that a criminal employs when committing their crimes. Understanding an offender's MO is crucial in criminal investigations, as it helps law enforcement agencies identify, connect, and apprehend suspects by recognizing repeated behaviors or techniques in different offenses.

For instance, offenders may have particular ways of selecting victims, gaining entry to premises, or executing the crime, which can reveal insights into their psychology and operational style. Investigators analyze these patterns to predict future actions, link various incidents to a single perpetrator, and uncover possible motives or reasons behind criminal behaviors. Recognizing an MO is a vital part of developing a criminal profile and aids in the effective allocation of investigative resources.