Use Modus Operandi in Your Investigations

Published: Sep 10, 2004

Application

Modus Operandi in English means method of operating. It involves describing a distinctive behavior pattern often repeated by a person.

Noting and tracking a person's method of operating has been a standard technique used by police for many years.

It is based on the concept that most people are creatures of habit. If a pattern of behavior yielded successes in the past, it is quite likely to be repeated. A pattern or Modus Operandi is almost as reliable an identifier as physical characteristics. The police will keep this information on a criminal record for identifying suspects in future crimes.

A manager can employ this technique to classify business contacts. This discriminating information can be used to predict behavior or actions much sooner than casual or intuitive deductions.