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What do burglars focus on? How observing burglars in a virtual reality environment and using think-aloud reporting can deepen our understanding of their behaviour This article introduces an innovative method that combines virtual reality (VR) with a think-aloud protocol to gain insights into the cognitive processes preceding burglary offenses from the offender’s perspective. Applied in a study involving 200 incarcerated burglars, it explores their decision-making while they navigate virtual neighbourhoods. The retrospective think-aloud method yields valuable insights in criminology, providing detailed information directly from the burglar’s viewpoint. This approach reduces memory errors and more closely approximates the actual thought process leading to burglary choices. The VR-RTA method unveils novel insights into burglars’ decision-making, contributing to the development of more effective prevention and intervention strategies.