OACP Observation and Memory Skills 3

Question 1

A suspect is described as approximately 6 feet tall by three different witnesses. One witness says 5'10", one says 6'1", and one says 6'2". An officer should record this discrepancy by:

Accepted Answer

Documenting all three estimates and noting the range

Answer

Averaging the estimates and recording 6'1"

Answer

Using only the estimate from the most credible witness

Answer

Omitting height until a definitive answer is confirmed

Question 2

During a routine patrol, an officer notices a vehicle parked in the same spot for three consecutive days. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Pattern recognition relevant to potential abandoned vehicle or surveillance

Answer

Normal parking behavior requiring no action

Answer

A traffic violation requiring immediate towing

Answer

Insufficient information to warrant any attention

Question 3

An officer is asked to identify a suspect from a photo lineup. To maintain lineup integrity, the officer administering the lineup should ideally:

Accepted Answer

Not know which photo is the suspect to avoid influencing the witness

Answer

Tell the witness how many suspects are in the lineup

Answer

Show photos one at a time starting with the suspect's photo

Answer

Confirm each choice the witness makes before continuing

Question 4

An officer is completing a description of a stolen vehicle. Which detail would be LEAST useful for a broadcast to other officers?

Accepted Answer

The vehicle's mileage at time of theft

Answer

The license plate number

Answer

The make and model

Answer

The distinctive damage on the rear bumper

Question 5

When interviewing a witness who saw a crime from across the street at night, the officer should weigh the observation by considering:

Accepted Answer

The distance, lighting conditions, and duration of observation

Answer

Only whether the witness has prior criminal history

Answer

Whether the witness knows the victim

Answer

Only the witness's confidence level

Question 6

An officer notices that items in a retail store appear disturbed but a staff member says nothing is missing. The officer should:

Accepted Answer

Document the observation and suggest reviewing surveillance footage

Answer

Accept the staff's statement and take no further action

Answer

Immediately charge the staff member with filing a false report

Answer

Assume the disturbance is unrelated to any crime