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LEARNING UNIT 2
MODUS OPERANDI
2
Contents
2.1 INTRODUCTION
2.2 DEFINITION
2.3 TRADEMARKS
2.4 FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE AND DETERMINE THE MODUS
OPERANDI
2.5 THE CLASSIFICATION AND COMPUTERISATION OF MODUS
OPERANDI INFORMATION
2.6 THE VALUE OF MODUS OPERANDI
2.7 CONCLUSION
2.8 QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
REFERENCES
KEY TERM AND CONCEPTS
You will need to master the following key concepts in order to achieve the learning
outcomes for this unit.
• Modus operandi
• Trademark
TIME REQUIRED FOR LEARNING UNIT 2
This learning unit will require approximately 13 hours.
OVM3701/1 15
, 2.1 INTRODUCTION
In the previous unit, we took a closer look at the role of experts in crime investigation.
Another source of information that can play a valuable role in crime investigation is
information about the criminal’s modus operandi.
ACTIVITY 2.1
Time required for activity: 90 minutes
(1) By this time, you will certainly have come across the term “modus operandi” in your
work or your studies. What do you understand the term to mean? Try to write down
your own definition of this term.
(2) Study the extract from the newspaper report below and then answer the questions
that follow.
Thieves with luxury tastes clean out boutique
Armed thieves made off with almost the entire top of the range designer clothes
in the Melrose Arch shopping centre, northern Johannesburg, early yesterday.
They knew what they wanted to steal – and 250 security cameras were not going
to stop them.
According to the owner of the shop, Gerry Botoulas, the criminals knew exactly
what they wanted. They specifically chose the most expensive imported Italian
clothing and shoes. Shoes, shirts, handbags and other items that were stolen
ranged in price from R900 to R3 000.
There were more than 250 cameras throughout the Melrose Arch centre, which
recorded detailed information of everything that went on. Botoulas said that a
group of 11 men carrying AK 47s and 9-mm pistols held up five of the centre’s
security guards at about 03:00 yesterday. “They then brought the guards to the
shop. During the process, they broke the door and smashed a display window to
get inside. They forced the guards to help them load the clothes into four different
vehicles, and then fled in their vehicles.”
No one was injured in the incident. Police are investigating, but no arrests have
yet been made.
Adapted from Ndaba, B. 2003. Thieves with luxury tastes clean out boutique. Star,
12 February: 2.
Which aspects mentioned in the above scenario form part of the criminals’ modus
operandi? What is the value of each of these aspects for the investigation? Complete
the following table to answer these questions.
Aspects that The expert/s that you can The deduction/s you can
form part of the consult to obtain more make about the criminal/s
modus operandi information about this on the basis of this
aspect (if applicable) information
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