M. O. Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of M. O., written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is M. O.?

History and Meaning of M. O.

M. O. stands for "Modus Operandi," a Latin term meaning "mode of operation." In the legal context, M. O. is used to describe the typical way in which a criminal performs a specific crime. Every criminal has a unique modus operandi, and it can be useful for law enforcement agencies to identify the M. O. of a criminal to help catch them.

The concept of M. O. can be traced back to the 19th century. The first recorded use of the term in a legal context was in an 1860s book on legal Latin. Since then, the term has become widely used in criminal investigations.

Examples of M. O.

1. In a robbery case, the police may look for the M. O. of the suspect, such as their behavior during the robbery, any weapons they used, how they entered and exited the scene, and if they targeted any specific objects or people.

2. In a burglary case, the police may look for the M. O. of the suspect, such as how they gained entry, which areas of the house were targeted, and if they left any evidence like footprints or fingerprints behind.

3. In a murder case, the police may look for the M. O. of the suspect, which could include how the victim was killed, if there was a specific motive or pattern, and any evidence left at the scene.

Legal Terms Similar to M. O.

• Signature crime: The unique and repeated pattern of a criminal’s actions that characterizes their criminal behavior.
• Crime spree: A series of crimes committed by the same person or group in a short period, often with a similar M. O.
• Forensic evidence: Using scientific techniques to collect and analyze physical evidence left at a crime scene to help identify a suspect.