NYPD NYPD Visualization and Matching 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: 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 2: 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 3: 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 4: 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 5: 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 6: 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 7: 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.
