Definition of modus operandi
Etymology
From Latin modus operandi, from modus (“manner, method”) and operandi (“of working”)
Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA: /ˈməʊ.dʌs ˌ'p.ə(ɹ).æn.daɪ/, SAMPA: /"m@U.dVs %Qp.@(r).{n.daI/
Noun
modus operandi (plural modi operandi)
- (colloquial) A person or thing's normal mode of operation.
- (law enforcement) A known criminal's established habits and mode of work when committing specific offences, especially fraud, matched with characteristics of an unsolved crime to narrow down (limit to a specific list) or profile suspects.
Further reading
Modus operandi (plural modi operandi) is a Latin phrase, approximately translated as "mode of operation". 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.
The expression 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 the book Criminal Investigation, B.L. 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), and can also be used to determine links between crimes.
References:
- Wiktionary. Published under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
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