OVM3701
ASSIGNMENT 1
DUE DATE: 28 MARCH 2026
,INTRODUCTION
The investigation of crime requires a systematic and methodical approach to uncover
the truth and gather admissible evidence. Investigators must rely on various sources of
information, including physical evidence, witness statements, and the behavioural
patterns of offenders. One of the most valuable investigative tools is the analysis of a
criminal's modus operandi (MO) the method of operation that offenders typically employ
when committing crimes (OVM3701 Study Guide, Learning Unit 2, p. 29).
My assignment looks at the case of Khomotso Tladi, who was charged for being
involved in the murder of her husband, Andrew Tladi, a senior official in the Limpopo
health department. The case is complicated because it appears to be a murder-for-hire
situation. Khomotso claimed that she only wanted the attackers to scare her husband,
not to kill him. In this discussion, we will look at how the crime was carried out, the
patterns in the offenders’ behaviour, and how cognitive interviewing can be used to get
accurate information from suspects.
Understanding how criminals carry out their crimes is very important. Grouping criminals
based on their methods can help investigators solve cases more effectively, especially
when more than one person is involved and the crime was planned in advance
(OVM3701 Study Guide, Learning Unit 2, p. 29).
, 1.1 DISCUSSION OF MODUS OPERANDI IN THE CASE STUDY
1.1.1 Definition and Explanation of "Trademarks" in the Context of Modus
Operandi
Modus operandi (MO) is a Latin term meaning "method of operation". It pertains to the
notion that human behaviour tends to repeat itself, and "all of us repeat behaviours that
are closely similar to past behaviours" (OVM3701 Study Guide, Learning Unit 2, p. 31).
In criminal investigation, modus operandi refers to the "operational profile" of criminals –
a profile that includes not only their operational methods and techniques, but also their
strategies, disguise techniques, secret language, writing and signs (OVM3701 Study
Guide, Learning Unit 2, p. 31).
Trademarks, in the context of modus operandi, refer to the specific, distinctive
behaviours or characteristics that are unique to a particular criminal's method of
operation. These are the identifiable patterns that, when recognised, can help
investigators link multiple crimes to the same offender or group of offenders. As
explained in the study guide, "the more unusual and peculiar the habit, the more value it
has" for identification purposes (OVM3701 Study Guide, Learning Unit 2, p. 38).
Trademarks can be categorised into three phases based on when they occur:
Before the crime (planning phase)
During the crime (commission phase)
After the crime (post-crime phase)
(OVM3701 Study Guide, Learning Unit 2, p. 31-32)
The study guide emphasises that "trademarks of a criminal together form and constitute
his/her modus operandi" (OVM3701 Study Guide, Learning Unit 2, p. 31). These
ASSIGNMENT 1
DUE DATE: 28 MARCH 2026
,INTRODUCTION
The investigation of crime requires a systematic and methodical approach to uncover
the truth and gather admissible evidence. Investigators must rely on various sources of
information, including physical evidence, witness statements, and the behavioural
patterns of offenders. One of the most valuable investigative tools is the analysis of a
criminal's modus operandi (MO) the method of operation that offenders typically employ
when committing crimes (OVM3701 Study Guide, Learning Unit 2, p. 29).
My assignment looks at the case of Khomotso Tladi, who was charged for being
involved in the murder of her husband, Andrew Tladi, a senior official in the Limpopo
health department. The case is complicated because it appears to be a murder-for-hire
situation. Khomotso claimed that she only wanted the attackers to scare her husband,
not to kill him. In this discussion, we will look at how the crime was carried out, the
patterns in the offenders’ behaviour, and how cognitive interviewing can be used to get
accurate information from suspects.
Understanding how criminals carry out their crimes is very important. Grouping criminals
based on their methods can help investigators solve cases more effectively, especially
when more than one person is involved and the crime was planned in advance
(OVM3701 Study Guide, Learning Unit 2, p. 29).
, 1.1 DISCUSSION OF MODUS OPERANDI IN THE CASE STUDY
1.1.1 Definition and Explanation of "Trademarks" in the Context of Modus
Operandi
Modus operandi (MO) is a Latin term meaning "method of operation". It pertains to the
notion that human behaviour tends to repeat itself, and "all of us repeat behaviours that
are closely similar to past behaviours" (OVM3701 Study Guide, Learning Unit 2, p. 31).
In criminal investigation, modus operandi refers to the "operational profile" of criminals –
a profile that includes not only their operational methods and techniques, but also their
strategies, disguise techniques, secret language, writing and signs (OVM3701 Study
Guide, Learning Unit 2, p. 31).
Trademarks, in the context of modus operandi, refer to the specific, distinctive
behaviours or characteristics that are unique to a particular criminal's method of
operation. These are the identifiable patterns that, when recognised, can help
investigators link multiple crimes to the same offender or group of offenders. As
explained in the study guide, "the more unusual and peculiar the habit, the more value it
has" for identification purposes (OVM3701 Study Guide, Learning Unit 2, p. 38).
Trademarks can be categorised into three phases based on when they occur:
Before the crime (planning phase)
During the crime (commission phase)
After the crime (post-crime phase)
(OVM3701 Study Guide, Learning Unit 2, p. 31-32)
The study guide emphasises that "trademarks of a criminal together form and constitute
his/her modus operandi" (OVM3701 Study Guide, Learning Unit 2, p. 31). These
