Modus operandi

Modus operandi is a Latin term that literally means “manner of acting” or “method of operation.” In Dutch criminal law, it refers to the distinctive pattern or habitual method employed by a suspect in the commission of offences, such as forcing locks in a particular manner or approaching victims according to a fixed script.

The concept is relevant to criminal investigation and prosecution, as a consistent modus operandi may link multiple offences to the same perpetrator. In practice, investigators and forensic experts rely on it to construct offender profiles and to gather evidence in criminal proceedings.