Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA) Practice Exam

Which factors are necessary for the commission of a crime?

1. Desire, Motive, Opportunity

2. Desire, Victim, Opportunity

3. Intent, Victim, Capability

4. Planning, Victim, Chance

The correct answer is: Desire, Victim, Opportunity

The correct answer encompasses three fundamental elements essential for the commission of a crime: desire, victim, and opportunity. Desire signifies the criminal's wish to commit the offense, acting as the driving force behind the behavior. Without this desire or intent, the act may not even take place, regardless of the circumstances surrounding it. The victim is crucial as crimes typically involve an individual or entity upon which the criminal act is perpetrated. If there is no victim, the crime cannot be committed effectively—the act of crime fundamentally relies on adversely impacting another party. Opportunity is the enabling circumstance that allows a crime to be carried out. It refers to the conditions or situations that present themselves, which might make committing the act feasible and plausible. The interplay of these three elements sets the stage for a crime to occur. Understanding this framework is critical for law enforcement professionals to assess situations where criminal activities may arise and to implement preventive measures accordingly.