Behavioral Analysis of an offender

Tahisha Martin

American InterContinental University

Author Note

Tahisha Martin, Aspect of Forensic Psychology, American Intercontinental University.

This research was supported by cited references gathered from credible sources.

Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Tahisha Martin, Aspect of Forensic Psychology, American InterContinental University 231 N. Martingale Road, 6th Floor · Schaumburg, IL 60173. E-mail Tahisha.Martin@student.aiuonline.edu

Abstract

This paper will discuss the modus operandi of a perpetrator. Forensic psychology is used to identify offenders of violent crimes in police investigations. Modus operandi (MO), and the offenders signature are two of the most basic identifiable means when identifying criminal behavior. Officials in the criminal justice field should understand basic profiling concepts. This paper will discuss both terms and the importance of understanding and recognizing criminal characteristics based off these two terms of forensic psychology.

Behavioral Analysis of an Offender

     There are differences between modus operandi or MO and an offender signature that officers and federal agents in the criminal justice system should understand These terms are part of forensic psychology that are used to identify suspects and the violent crimes they commit. All criminals have a modus operandi (MO) based on techniques, habits, and peculiarities in behaviors (Razzaq,2008). Offenders perform these techniques based on three major objectives which are to complete the crime, affect the escape, and avoid capture/investigation (Razzaq,2008). Serial offenders attempt to perfect the MO as they become more experienced to say the least at what they do. They improve and adjust certain techniques to their MO as they continue to commit crimes. Officers over time keeping in mind that offenders change their MO will begin to formulate a behavioral profile on specific crimes. An offender’s signature can be broken up into two separate yet interdependent halves (Razzaq,2008). It can be broken up into the signature aspect and the signature behavior. The signature aspect means that the motive of the offense can include motivational categories. The motivational categories can include anger, retaliation, profit, assertiveness, sadism, and so on (Razzaq,2008). Signature behaviors are committed to satisfy emotional and psychological desires. There are challenges in attempting to determine a MO from an offender signature being in that certain offender actions may satisfy both bases at the same time.    To identify which behaviors falls into which category the circumstances surrounding the crime it must be considered entirely.

The driving force behind an offender’s MO as one example stated above could be for profit. If a bank robber robbed a bank they may enter with a disguise so that they may not be distinguishable to the people who are present and to video cameras within the bank. An offender signature may be a murderer who returns to the scene of the crime first after the body was found and police are at the scene of the crime investigating. They go back to seek a thrill and find out what information if any the police have already found out.  Certain characteristics of a crime may be a bit easier to categorize given the nature of the crime.