What does “opportunity” refer to in the AOJ framework?

The term "opportunity" within the AOJ (Ability, Opportunity, Jeopardy) framework specifically refers to the conditions that allow a suspect to act unimpeded, emphasizing factors such as time, distance, and awareness. These elements determine whether a crime can be successfully executed. For instance, if a potential victim is too far away or the suspect is unaware of their presence, the opportunity to commit the crime diminishes significantly.

Understanding opportunity in this context is crucial for law enforcement as it helps establish the practical circumstances under which offenses are committed. The framework underscores that even if a suspect has the ability and poses a threat, the lack of opportunity can prevent the actual commission of a crime. This insight is vital for police officers in assessing crime scenes and understanding the dynamics of criminal behavior.

The other concepts, while important in different contexts, do not encapsulate the specific meaning of "opportunity" in relation to the AOJ framework. Access to support resources, seeing the suspect, and legal justification pertain to other aspects of law enforcement and legal proceedings, but they do not address the situational conditions leading to the likelihood of a crime occurring.