APCAT Observation and Detail Recognition 5

Question 1

An officer receives a description of a robbery suspect: female, mid-20s, 5'6", athletic build, long red braided hair, a nose ring, and wearing green scrubs. Ten minutes later, the officer observes a female matching all features except she now has her hair tied up. What is the most appropriate response?

Accepted Answer

Approach and conduct an investigative stop given the strong overall match

Answer

Hair can be quickly rearranged, and the match on build, height, nose ring, scrubs, and approximate age justifies an investigative stop.

Question 2

An officer observes a parked car in a no-parking zone at 11:05 PM. The car's engine is running but no one is visible inside. The windows are completely fogged from the inside. What does the fogging most likely indicate?

Accepted Answer

One or more people are inside the vehicle producing body heat

Answer

Internal window fogging is caused by warm humid breath from occupants, strongly suggesting at least one person is inside the vehicle.

Question 3

An officer finds the following items at a suspected drug-related scene: a digital scale, multiple small ziplock bags, a large quantity of cash in small denominations, and a single unmarked white pill. Which combination of items is MOST significant as evidence of drug trafficking versus personal use?

Accepted Answer

The scale, bags, and small-denomination cash together

Answer

The combination of a scale, individual packaging bags, and small-denomination cash is the classic triad indicative of drug trafficking rather than personal possession.

Question 4

While canvassing a neighborhood, an officer is told by a resident: 'I saw a man running from the house at about 9 PM, he dropped something near the gate.' The officer later finds a glove near the gate. What is the MOST important thing the officer should do with this information?

Accepted Answer

Note the glove's location, leave it in place, and secure the scene pending forensic collection

Answer

Evidence must be documented in place and protected from contamination; it should never be moved or handled without proper protocols.

Question 5

An officer is reviewing a suspect's history and notes: arrested twice in the same neighborhood, both times near closing time at convenience stores. What pattern does this most strongly suggest for future surveillance?

Accepted Answer

Convenience stores in that neighborhood near closing time are higher-risk locations for this suspect's activity

Answer

Two incidents sharing location type, geography, and time of day establish a behavioral pattern that should guide targeted surveillance.

APCAT - Alberta Police Cognitive Ability Test Practice Test

APCAT - Alberta Police Cognitive Ability Test Practice Test

APCAT Observation and Detail Recognition 5