He is envisioned as the first murderer who has been condemned to death, and is invoked to pronounce swift judgment.
A person possessed by Baron Criminel shouts obscenities, spits libations to all past criminals and threatens to kill surrounding people who violate them.
He sometimes calls for sacrifices of black chickens to be doused in petrol and set alight.
The shrieking of the chickens when being burned alive is said to appeal to the cruel nature of Baron Criminel and appease him.
He is said to return on Fete Ghede, the Voduns' "Festival of the Dead" (November 2), to claim payment.