What Does "MO" Mean in Police Talk?
Last Updated Mar 25, 2020 1:05:17 AM ET
In police work, the M.O., or "modus operandi," refers to the methods the criminal uses to perpetrate the crime. Typically a serial criminal uses the same or similar methods for every crime; the criminal's M.O. entails the planning, execution, escape and other details involved in the crime.
Identifying the M.O. of a criminal helps police connect crimes, identify suspects and create psychological profiles of criminals. An M.O. is typically distinct and characteristic of a specific individual criminal or suspect. For example, the way that a criminal enters the scene of a crime or approaches a victim remains their M.O. for subsequent crimes. Modus operandi is Latin for "method of operation."
More From Reference
Responsible Retirement: What's the Maximum Amount You Can Contribute to a 401(k)?
10 Small Business Grants for Women Entrepreneurs
What Is the Federal Minimum Wage?
What Is the Financial Independence, Retire Early Movement — and Has the Pandemic Changed It?
4 Investing Lessons We Can Learn From Warren Buffett's Stock Portfolio
Here's How a Pre-IPO Investment Helps You Fund Startups