Modus operandi - sustany/dvg GitHub Wiki

A Latin phrase meaning �mode of operating.� In criminal law, modus operandi refers to a method of operation or pattern of criminal behavior so distinctive that separate crimes or wrongful conduct are recognized as the work of the same person. Modus operandi is used as a basis for admitting evidence of other crimes and is permitted by Rule 404(b)(2) of the Federal Rules of Evidence. For example, in a case involving the armed robbery of a bank, evidence that the alleged robber was convicted of an armed robbery one year prior would be admissible to prove identity through�modus�operandi where in both the prior case and the current case the perpetrator wore a purple cowboy hat, possessed a gold gun with mother of pearl handles, was heard humming the tune to �Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,� and put the money in a black Gucci bag. The evidence is so specific that it uniquely identifies defendant as the perpetrator in the case at hand.