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** This is an archived, static copy of the Casebook messages boards dating from 1998 to 2003. These threads cannot be replied to here. If you want to participate in our current forums please go to https://forum.casebook.org **
Signature versus Modus Operandi
Casebook Message Boards: General Discussion: Miscellaneous:
Signature versus Modus Operandi
Author: Jon
Saturday, 28 September 2002 - 01:10 pm |        | SIGNATURE
The killer's signature is his psychological 'calling card' that he leaves at each crime scene across a spectrum of several murders. The compulsion, either intentional or unintentional, for the killer to leave his own personal stamp at the crime scene or on the body is defined as his 'signature'.
The trademark, or core of the killers imprint, his stamp, will never change, it emanates from his psychology and he is often unaware of this clue he is leaving at the scene.
However, the signature may evolve over time, such as in cases where a necrophilic killer performs more and more postmortem mutilation from one murder to the next. The FBI's behavioral scientists say that the signature elements of the original personal expression do not change, they just become more developed. John Douglas once described the nature of the signature as the person's violent fantasies which are progressive in nature and contribute to thoughts of exhibiting extremely violent behavior.
M.O. (modus operandi)
Defined as the way in which a particular criminal operates. Basically, an MO accounts for the type of crime and property involved. It includes the victim type, the time and place the crime was committed, the tools or implements used; the way the criminal gained entry or how he approched or subdued his victim (this includes disguises or uniforms, ways he represented himself to a victim or if he used props such as a bike or pair of crutches), whether he used associates and any distinguishing trademarks he might have left (such as poisoning a guard dog or using a special pick to break a lock or even engaging in conversation with the victims).
The MO of a criminal can and often does change for various reasons.
The FBI's John Douglas of the Behavioral Sciences Unit in Quantico has said that the modus operandi of a killer is only those actions which are necessary to commit the murder.
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The above definitions may be considered as "may include, but are not limited to" due to the evolving nature of this 'art' of defining the mind of the killer, profiling.
The above extracts are selectively taken from 'Signature Killers', by Robert Keppel. A facinating journey into the mind of the serial killer.
I thought to include the above definitions on our site as many discussions include comments regarding MO & Signature. I considered if all the readers present were aware of the 'scientific' definitions in viewing the nature of the Whitechapel Murders.
A recent comment by one poster suggested that the murderer of Tabram was the same hand as those later ascribed to Jack the Ripper. In the case of Martha Tabram strangulation is suggested, also we have recently read of evidence to suggest this with Nichols & Chapman. With Tabram a knife was used, as with the other accepted JtR victims. Strangulation and the use of a knife is MO, however, how the knife was used defines signature.
In this one respect the signature of the knife is different with Tabram and no apparent evolution is indicated from frenzied stabbing to methodical slicing. There is though an apparent progression with the mutilation from Eddowes to Kelly. This is just my opinion based on studying the subject of MO versus Signature and may be contested, but I thought the above definitions may be of interest.
Regards, Jon |
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