HOSA Crime Scene and Death Investigation Practice Test

The modus operandi of a suspect refers to the specific methods and techniques they consistently use when committing crimes. These habitual methods may include the way they approach a target, the tools they use, their timing, or how they handle the crime scene. Understanding a suspect’s modus operandi can be crucial for investigators, as it helps establish a profile of the individual and can link them to different crimes through common methods.

The other options, while relevant to crime investigation, do not directly illustrate the specific methods used by a suspect. Statistical analysis of crime rates focuses on broader trends rather than individual behaviors. Surveillance reports provide observations that may capture specific incidents but do not necessarily reveal a consistent pattern of methods employed by a suspect. Similarly, neighborhood disturbances can indicate areas of concern but do not directly tie to the habitual techniques of an individual suspect. Thus, the second option stands out as the clear choice when identifying the modus operandi of a suspect.