NYPD NYPD Visualization and Matching — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An officer studies a wanted poster showing a suspect with a triangular scar on the left cheek, a gap between the front teeth, and bushy eyebrows. When stopping a person matching the general description, which feature is MOST reliably used for identification from a distance?
- The triangular scar on the left cheek
- The gap between the front teeth
- The bushy eyebrows (Correct answer)
- The suspect's hair color
Correct answer: The bushy eyebrows
Bushy eyebrows are a prominent facial feature visible at greater distances compared to dental gaps or small scars.
Question 2: A witness describes a getaway vehicle as a dark blue four-door sedan with a cracked rear windshield and a dented left rear quarter panel. Officers locate four vehicles. Which is the CORRECT match?
- A black four-door sedan with a cracked front windshield
- A dark blue four-door sedan with a cracked rear windshield and dented left rear quarter panel (Correct answer)
- A dark blue two-door coupe with a cracked rear windshield
- A navy four-door sedan with a dented right rear quarter panel
Correct answer: A dark blue four-door sedan with a cracked rear windshield and dented left rear quarter panel
Only option B matches all three identifying details: dark blue, four-door, cracked rear windshield, and dented left rear quarter panel.
Question 3: During a training exercise, officers are shown a sketch of a robbery suspect for 60 seconds, then asked to identify the suspect in a lineup. The sketch shows a man with a wide flat nose, deep-set eyes, and a cleft chin. Which lineup member matches?
- Member 2: prominent nose, wide-set eyes, round chin
- Member 4: wide flat nose, deep-set eyes, and a cleft chin (Correct answer)
- Member 1: wide flat nose, close-set eyes, and a dimpled chin
- Member 3: narrow nose, deep-set eyes, and a cleft chin
Correct answer: Member 4: wide flat nose, deep-set eyes, and a cleft chin
Member 4 is the only individual matching all three features: wide flat nose, deep-set eyes, and a cleft chin.
Question 4: Officer Reyes memorizes a building layout before a search operation. She recalls a T-shaped hallway, a staircase at the east end, and restrooms on the north wall of the second floor. During the operation, she reaches the second floor and needs to locate the restrooms. She should go:
- East, toward the staircase
- South, opposite the staircase
- North, along the main hallway (Correct answer)
- West, past the T-intersection
Correct answer: North, along the main hallway
Her memorized layout placed the restrooms on the north wall, so she should move north along the hallway.
Question 5: A surveillance photo shows a suspect wearing a striped hoodie, dark joggers, and white sneakers with a blue stripe. An officer stops someone in a striped hoodie, dark joggers, and white sneakers with a red stripe. What should the officer conclude?
- The person is definitely the suspect because most details match
- The person cannot be the suspect because none of the details match
- The sneaker stripe color difference may indicate this is not the suspect, warranting further investigation (Correct answer)
- The stripe color on sneakers is irrelevant; the person should be arrested immediately
Correct answer: The sneaker stripe color difference may indicate this is not the suspect, warranting further investigation
A discrepancy in one identifying detail (blue vs. red stripe) warrants further investigation rather than immediate dismissal or arrest.
Question 6: Officers are shown a map of a crime scene for 45 seconds. The map shows a bodega on the northeast corner, a fire hydrant 20 feet south of the bodega, and a parked van between the hydrant and the corner. Where was the van parked?
- On the northwest corner, adjacent to the bodega
- Between the fire hydrant and the northeast corner (Correct answer)
- South of the fire hydrant, near the intersection
- Directly in front of the bodega entrance
Correct answer: Between the fire hydrant and the northeast corner
The map described the van as being between the fire hydrant and the northeast corner, placing it north of the hydrant.
Question 7: A suspect is described as having a tattoo of an eagle on the right forearm, a shaved head, and standing approximately 5'10". An officer encounters a shaved-head male, approximately 5'10", with an eagle tattoo on the LEFT forearm. What is the significance of the tattoo placement discrepancy?
- It is insignificant; tattoo location rarely matters in identification
- The person cannot be the suspect since the tattoo is on the wrong arm
- The discrepancy is notable and the officer should investigate further before concluding (Correct answer)
- The officer should immediately release the individual
Correct answer: The discrepancy is notable and the officer should investigate further before concluding
A discrepancy in tattoo location is significant but could result from witness error or the suspect's arm position; further investigation is warranted.
Question 8: An officer is shown a photograph of a crime scene for one minute. The photo shows broken glass on the left side of the door, a knocked-over trash can near the curb, and a broken streetlamp overhead. After the photo is removed, what was located near the curb?
- Broken glass
- A knocked-over trash can (Correct answer)
- A broken streetlamp
- A parked bicycle
Correct answer: A knocked-over trash can
The scene description placed the knocked-over trash can near the curb, not the glass or the streetlamp.
Question 9: During a visualization test, candidates are shown a face for 30 seconds, then asked to select it from six similar faces. The key to success in this type of test is to focus on:
- Hair color and style, which are the most changeable features
- Unique and permanent facial features such as bone structure, ear shape, and eye spacing (Correct answer)
- Clothing and accessories visible in the image
- Skin tone only, as it is the most distinguishing characteristic
Correct answer: Unique and permanent facial features such as bone structure, ear shape, and eye spacing
Permanent structural features like bone structure, ear shape, and eye spacing are most reliable for identification because they cannot be easily altered.
Question 10: A floor plan is displayed to officers for two minutes. It shows four apartments on the third floor: 3A (northwest), 3B (northeast), 3C (southwest), 3D (southeast). The elevator is between 3A and 3B. Where is the elevator located?
- On the south side of the hallway
- On the east side of the building
- On the north side of the hallway, between the northwest and northeast apartments (Correct answer)
- In the center of the building
Correct answer: On the north side of the hallway, between the northwest and northeast apartments
The elevator was described as being between apartments 3A (northwest) and 3B (northeast), placing it on the north side of the hallway.
Question 11: Two witness descriptions of the same suspect are compared. Witness A says the suspect had brown hair and was about 6'0". Witness B says the suspect had dark hair and was about 5'11". Which detail is MOST likely accurate when the descriptions agree?
- The exact height
- The hair being dark/brown in color (Correct answer)
- The facial features, which neither witness mentioned
- Neither description is useful
Correct answer: The hair being dark/brown in color
Both witnesses described hair color similarly (brown/dark), making this the most corroborated and reliable detail.
Question 12: An officer must remember a license plate seen briefly during a hit-and-run: HJK-4821. Minutes later, the officer is asked to confirm the plate. Which plate matches?
- HJK-4812
- HKJ-4821
- HJK-4821 (Correct answer)
- HJK-4281
Correct answer: HJK-4821
Only HJK-4821 exactly matches the original plate number in both letters and digit sequence.
Question 13: A sketch of a missing person shows a woman with a heart-shaped face, a small upturned nose, and large almond-shaped eyes. An officer encounters a woman with a heart-shaped face, a small upturned nose, and large round eyes. What should the officer do?
- Dismiss the match entirely because the eyes differ
- Detain the woman immediately as a confirmed match
- Note the partial match and investigate further, as eye shape descriptions can vary by observer (Correct answer)
- Ignore the encounter as insufficient information exists
Correct answer: Note the partial match and investigate further, as eye shape descriptions can vary by observer
A partial match with one differing detail (almond vs. round eyes) warrants investigation because observer descriptions of eye shape are often subjective.
Question 14: Officers are shown a surveillance image of a store interior during a robbery. Two suspects are visible: Suspect 1 wears a red cap and carries a dark bag; Suspect 2 wears a gray hoodie and has a visible tattoo on the neck. Which detail would BEST distinguish Suspect 2 in a crowd?
- The gray hoodie, which is a common garment
- The neck tattoo, which is a permanent and visible physical characteristic (Correct answer)
- The absence of a hat
- The fact that Suspect 2 is not carrying a bag
Correct answer: The neck tattoo, which is a permanent and visible physical characteristic
A neck tattoo is a permanent physical characteristic that remains identifiable regardless of clothing changes.
Question 15: Officers study a block diagram showing a pharmacy on the north side of Oak Street, a laundromat directly across (south side), and a parking lot east of the pharmacy. A suspect was seen fleeing toward the parking lot. In which direction did the suspect run?
- North
- South
- East (Correct answer)
- West
Correct answer: East
The parking lot was east of the pharmacy, so the suspect fled east.
Question 16: A NYPD exam question shows two nearly identical images of a street scene side by side, with the instruction to identify differences. Officers find: a missing trash can in Image B, a changed street sign, and an added pedestrian. How many differences were identified?
- One
- Two
- Three (Correct answer)
- Four
Correct answer: Three
Three differences were identified: a missing trash can, a changed street sign, and an added pedestrian.
Question 17: A suspect is described as wearing size 12 shoes with a distinctive chevron tread pattern. Officers find footprints at the scene. Which observation would BEST confirm a match to the suspect?
- The footprint size alone matches size 12
- The footprint shows a chevron tread pattern and is consistent with a size 12 shoe (Correct answer)
- The footprint depth indicates a heavy person
- The footprint is found in the suspect's direction of travel
Correct answer: The footprint shows a chevron tread pattern and is consistent with a size 12 shoe
Both the size and the distinctive tread pattern matching together provide a much stronger confirmation than either alone.
Question 18: An officer views a wanted flyer showing a suspect with a nose ring in the left nostril, a neck tattoo reading 'MAMA', and cornrow braids. Later, the officer encounters a person with a nose ring in the RIGHT nostril, a neck tattoo reading 'MAMA', and cornrow braids. What is the most appropriate action?
- Ignore the person because the nose ring is on the wrong side
- Detain and investigate, as two of three specific features match and the nose ring side may be a witness error or image flip (Correct answer)
- Arrest the person immediately based on two matching features
- Report the encounter without stopping the individual
Correct answer: Detain and investigate, as two of three specific features match and the nose ring side may be a witness error or image flip
Two highly specific features (neck tattoo text and hairstyle) match; the nose ring discrepancy may reflect a mirrored photo or witness error, warranting investigation.
Question 19: During a NYPD Patrol Guide exercise, officers are shown a diagram of a four-way intersection with traffic signals. The north-south road is Main Street and the east-west road is 5th Avenue. An officer standing on the southwest corner facing north is looking toward:
- The southeast corner
- The northwest corner (Correct answer)
- The northeast corner
- The southwest corner
Correct answer: The northwest corner
Standing on the southwest corner and facing north, the officer looks directly toward the northwest corner across the intersection.
Question 20: A crime scene photo shows a victim's wallet on the floor 3 feet from the door, a cell phone near the window, and a set of keys on the kitchen counter. If an officer is asked where the wallet was found, the correct answer is:
- Near the window
- On the kitchen counter
- 3 feet from the door (Correct answer)
- Under the table
Correct answer: 3 feet from the door
The scene description specifically placed the wallet 3 feet from the door, distinguishing it from the phone and keys at other locations.
Question 21: A patrol officer is tasked with memorizing the faces of five individuals on a 'persons of interest' board before going on patrol. The most effective strategy for visualization memorization is to:
- Spend equal time on each face and memorize clothing details
- Focus on the most common facial features shared by all five individuals
- Identify one unique permanent physical feature for each individual and create a mental association (Correct answer)
- Memorize each person's name and match it to age estimates
Correct answer: Identify one unique permanent physical feature for each individual and create a mental association
Linking one unique permanent feature per person to a mental association (such as a memorable description) is proven to improve accurate recall.
NYPD NYPD Visualization and Matching
An officer studies a wanted poster showing a suspect with a triangular scar on the left cheek, a gap between the front teeth, and bushy eyebrows.
When stopping a person matching the general description, which feature is MOST reliably used for identification from a distance?
What Practice Test Geeks adds beyond an AI chat for NYPD
An AI chatbot can quiz you, but it can't reproduce the exam conditions or keep your record. Here you get:
- A timed, full-length NYPD mock exam — 85 questions in 90 minutes with a 70% pass mark, modeled on the official exam's question count and time limit, followed by a score report broken down by exam domain.
- A fixed NYPD question bank: the same test every attempt, so your score is comparable from one try to the next instead of changing with every regenerated quiz.
- Progress saved on your device: completed tests, scores and missed questions stay in My Progress, so you can retake only what you got wrong.
- A printable NYPD cheat sheet you can print or save as a PDF.
- NYPD flashcards built from the same question bank.
These practice questions were written with AI tools. They are not real exam questions. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy
Sources & references
Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy
- nyc.gov — Test delivery, fees, passing score, registration deadline, registration, score release, test dates, score validity, exam information · verified Nov 2026