Signature and Modus Operandi

Signature and Modus Operandi

Introduction

There are many aspects of forensic psychology which are used for the identification of suspects of crime and violence. These are used in investigations by the police. Two of the aspects we are discussing here are offender signature and modus operandi (MO). These are identifiable and measurable aspects of behavioural aspects. The investigators should have a basic understanding for effective investigations of serial crime and violence. Their usage and misuse should be properly studied by the investigators.

Modus Operandi

Goals and assumptions of Profiling

Criminals have a modus operandi which consists of habits, peculiarities and techniques. The basic objectives performed by them are:

Completion of crime

Affect escape

Avoid investigation (after being captured)

Serial Criminals become perfect and accurate in committing the crime as they become perfect in their MO. The improvement of criminals MO is sufficient for the investigators to analyze the criminal pattern and form a behavioural profile of the criminals. This can be analyzed in the first stage of criminal profiling when the investigator begins and continues his pattern of investigation. The MO of the offender related to the commitment of crime, on the other hand, offender signature has less realistic role (Holmes, 2009).

Crime Scene

Only experienced investigators can identify the common denominators and expect changes, a crime scene to another in a series of murders, even before knowing who the victim is. They can find the signature of the killer, which is present in each homicide. This signature is rooted in the profound nature of the killer, and that is why he recreates and repeats for each murder. Investigators who know how to seek and find the signature of a killer, and understand what it means, come more often to solve the cases of serial crimes, unlike their colleagues who follow the tracks one after the other, without thinking.

The MO may change. It is, therefore, incorrect to say that, because there is different MO in several cases, however, connected by time, place or region, homicide cannot be related. The MO of a killer can change (and often does) if this killer is found that some actions are more effective. Beyond the MO, the majority of serial killers are not satisfied by the mere fact of killing they need more. They feel the need to leave their personal imprint. It is a way to express themselves through a unique signature, a fingerprint that the killer is mentally (subconsciously) forced to ...