Modus operandi in a crime speaks of the particular mechanism used to achieve the crime. As a result, criminal investigators normally look into the particular of the crime to identify patterns, which will link various crimes to their perpetrators, especially in cases of multiple offending. This paper looks into the burglar’s modus operandi.
The method of the offender can be revealed in different ways, including reasoning behind why the target was selected. The two main ways they selected the target was through the offender’s personal observation or knowing the target, which would then narrow down the target of the burglary. Again, the perpetrator’s mode of entry could be unique to their own circumstances (Borg & Boldt, 2016). Research shows that up to two third of burglaries occurred because of forced entries into the premises. Where alternative means are available, open doors, windows and other points of entry are used.
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Again, the type of property taken could cause the investigators to make inferences regarding the offenders. The choice of items stolen could make out inferences to the characteristics of the burglary. Again, the amount of planning taken to make the burglary most effective is also taken into account to determine whether the offenders are professional or amateur (Bouhana, Johnson, & Porter, 2016). Lastly, the method the offender used to search the property could offer insight to the investigator regarding their nature. For example, an offender who ransacked the premises often leaves behind evidence of their knowledge of the place. It is possible that such an offender had limited knowledge of the target. Overall, these five aspects give the investigator insight into the offender’s characteristics, thereby eliminating suspects who do not fit their officers’ inferences.
References
Borg, A., & Boldt, M. (2016). Clustering Residential Burglaries Using Modus Operandi and Spatiotemporal Information. International Journal of Information Technology & Decision Making, 15(01) , 23-42.
Bouhana, N., Johnson, S. D., & Porter, M. (2016). Consistency and specificity in burglars who commit prolific residential burglary: Testing the core assumptions underpinning behavioural crime linkage. Legal and Criminological Psychology, 21(1) , 77-94.
Brandl, S. G. (2014). Criminal investigation. SAGE Publications.
