Criminal Investigations Basic Perspectives 13th Edition Practice Test

Stop and frisk describes briefly detaining someone to question them and, if needed, giving a quick pat-down to check for weapons. This approach comes from the idea that a police officer can stop a person when there’s reasonable suspicion they’re involved in criminal activity and that person may be armed, allowing a rapid assessment of danger without a full search or arrest. The pat-down is limited to the outer clothing and only to detect weapons; if nothing is found and the suspicion isn’t supported to justify a longer detention, the stop ends. This differs from a plain view search, which is based on observing incriminating items in plain sight during a lawful encounter; an inventory search, done during processing of someone in custody to account for belongings; and a writ of assistance, an old, broad warrant-like authority to search premises.