Logical and Deductive Reasoning Flashcards

All officers assigned to the night shift must complete a safety briefing. Officer Torres is on the night shift. Which conclusion is valid?

Answer: Officer Torres must complete the safety briefing

Since all night-shift officers must complete the briefing and Torres is on the night shift, she must complete it.

A suspect was seen leaving the building at 9:00 PM. The crime occurred between 8:45 PM and 9:15 PM. What can be concluded?

Answer: The suspect cannot be ruled out based on timing alone

The suspect's departure falls within the crime window, so timing alone does not exonerate or convict them.

No patrol car in Division A is more than 3 years old. Unit 47 is a patrol car in Division A. What follows logically?

Answer: Unit 47 is not more than 3 years old

The universal rule that no Division A car exceeds 3 years applies directly to Unit 47.

If a witness is reliable, their testimony is recorded. Witness A's testimony was NOT recorded. What can be deduced?

Answer: Witness A is not a reliable witness

Using contrapositive logic: if testimony was not recorded, the witness cannot be reliable.

Five officers stand in a line by seniority. Officer Green is more senior than Officer White but less senior than Officer Black. Officer Red is the least senior. Where does Officer White rank?

Answer: White is less senior than Green

Black > Green > White, and Red is least senior, so White is less senior than Green.

A report states: 'Either the back door or the window was used as the entry point, but not both.' Investigators confirmed the window was used. What follows?

Answer: The back door was not used

An exclusive 'or' means exactly one is true; since the window was used, the back door was not.

Every time burglaries increase in Sector 7, foot patrols are doubled. Foot patrols in Sector 7 are currently at normal levels. What can be concluded?

Answer: Burglaries in Sector 7 have not increased

Contrapositive: if patrols are not doubled, burglaries have not increased.