Define "modus operandi" (MO).

The term "modus operandi" (MO) refers to the characteristic patterns of behavior exhibited by a criminal when committing crimes. This concept is crucial in criminal investigations as it helps law enforcement identify and analyze the methods used by offenders, enabling them to connect different crimes that share similar techniques or behavioral traits.

Understanding MO can provide insights into a criminal's motivations, signature actions, and possible future behaviors, allowing investigators to develop profiles and strategies for apprehension. This pattern can encompass various elements, including tools used, the nature of the crime, and even the way the crime is planned and executed.

The other options relate to different aspects of criminal justice. One option discusses interrogation methods, which are distinct from the behaviors exhibited during the commission of crimes. Another option refers to premeditated crimes, which is about intent rather than patterns of behavior. Lastly, the mention of evidence collection techniques does not pertain to the behavioral patterns associated with an individual criminal's actions, which is the essence of what MO represents.