Logical Reasoning and Analysis Flashcards

A sergeant assigns cases using this rule: 'If a case involves a juvenile, it goes to the Special Victims Unit.' A new case involves a 16-year-old. What should happen?

Answer: The case should go to the Special Victims Unit

A 16-year-old is a juvenile. The rule states juvenile cases go to SVU. Therefore, this case goes to SVU.

Patrol logs show: Monday 2 calls, Tuesday 4, Wednesday 8, Thursday 16. If the pattern continues, how many calls Friday?

Answer: 32

Each day doubles the previous day's calls. Friday = 16 x 2 = 32.

Statement 1: 'No off-duty officers are permitted to carry department-issued weapons.' Statement 2: 'Officer Tran is carrying a department-issued weapon.' What is necessarily true?

Answer: Officer Tran is on duty

If no off-duty officers may carry department weapons and Tran has one, Tran must be on duty.

Crime scene evidence: (1) Window broken from outside. (2) Valuables near window untouched. (3) Laptop from back room missing. What can be reasonably inferred?

Answer: The intruder had a specific target in mind

Bypassing nearby valuables to take a specific item from the back room suggests the intruder knew what they wanted.

In a lineup of five suspects (positions 1-5): The suspect is not in position 1 or 5. The suspect is left of position 4. The suspect is right of position 2. Where is the suspect?

Answer: Position 3

Not 1 or 5, left of 4 (so not 4 or 5), right of 2 (so not 1 or 2). Only position 3 remains.

An officer observes: 'Every time the streetlight on Oak Avenue is out, there is a burglary within 48 hours.' The streetlight is currently out. What is the most appropriate response?

Answer: Increase patrols on Oak Avenue for the next 48 hours

The observed correlation warrants increased vigilance without assuming causation or taking premature action.