If someone uses a particular method to repeatedly commit crimes, what is this called?

If someone uses a particular method to repeatedly commit crimes, what is this called?

• A. Opportunity
• B. Modus Operandi
• C. Alibi
• D. Motive

Answer: (B)

Modus operandi is the pattern a criminal uses to commit offenses—the particular method repeated across crimes. It covers the specific steps, tools, timing, and sequence the offender consistently relies on, which helps investigators link separate incidents to the same person. This concept focuses on how the crime is carried out, not why the person did it (motive) or whether they were physically present at the time (an alibi) or the opportunity to commit it. For example, a burglar who always enters through a rear window, disables an alarm, and targets similar-looking homes demonstrates a repeating method that identifies their pattern.

Modus operandi is the pattern a criminal uses to commit offenses—the particular method repeated across crimes. It covers the specific steps, tools, timing, and sequence the offender consistently relies on, which helps investigators link separate incidents to the same person. This concept focuses on how the crime is carried out, not why the person did it (motive) or whether they were physically present at the time (an alibi) or the opportunity to commit it. For example, a burglar who always enters through a rear window, disables an alarm, and targets similar-looking homes demonstrates a repeating method that identifies their pattern.