What does establishing a suspect's modus operandi help investigators with?

Establishing a suspect's modus operandi (MO) is crucial for investigators as it involves identifying the consistent patterns and techniques that a suspect uses when committing crimes. This helps in connecting various crimes to the same suspect because a distinctive MO can often reveal similarities in how different offenses were carried out. For example, if a suspect always uses a specific method of entry or leaves behind a particular signature, these consistent behaviors create a thread linking multiple incidents.

While identifying potential future victims and understanding a suspect's motivations are important aspects of criminal investigation, they are secondary benefits of understanding the MO. The primary function of establishing a modus operandi is to facilitate the connection of various crimes, enabling investigators to build a more comprehensive profile of the suspect and their criminal activities. This connection can significantly aid in the apprehension of the suspect and the prevention of further crimes.