Which term refers to the preferred method of operation used by criminals?

The term that refers to the preferred method of operation used by criminals is "Modus Operandi." This phrase, often abbreviated as "MO," describes the specific techniques, patterns, or methods that a criminal consistently employs when committing crimes. Understanding a criminal's modus operandi can help law enforcement identify and apprehend offenders by establishing behavioral patterns that may link them to multiple crimes.

For example, if a burglar consistently breaks into homes during the early evening using a specific tool to gain entry, this behavior constitutes their modus operandi. Investigators use this information to anticipate future crimes and connect unsolved cases that may involve the same individual.

The other terms have different meanings and contexts. "Corpus Delicti" refers to the principle that a crime must be demonstrated to have occurred before a person can be convicted of that crime, establishing the body of the offense. "Class Characteristics" describe properties or features that are common to a group of items, rather than the behavior of an individual offender. "Transient Evidence" refers to evidence that is temporary and can be easily altered or lost, such as odors or marks that may fade over time. Each of these terms serves a different purpose in the field of crime scene investigation, but none directly relate to the criminal