Modus operandi
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Modus operandi (plural modi operandi) is a Latin phrase, approximately translated as "method of operating". The term is used to describe someone's habits or manner of working, their method of operating or functioning. In English, it is frequently shortened to M.O.
It is often used in police work when discussing a crime and addressing the methods employed by the perpetrators. It is also used in criminal profiling, where it can help in finding clues to the offender's psychology. It largely consists of examining the actions used by the individual(s) to execute the crime, prevent its detection and/or facilitate escape.
In Criminal Investigation, Berg explains that a suspect's modus operandi can help in identification, apprehension and/or repression. An M.O. file is an orderly method of recording and coding information designed to reveal habits, traits or practices of criminal suspects. This can then be used to aid in the eventual apprehension of the suspect(s).
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