Observational Memory Recall Flashcards

An officer studies a scene for one minute. The scene includes: a parked blue truck, a yellow street sign with 'ONE WAY' pointing left, a man in a green hoodie, and a dog on a red leash. The officer is asked: 'What color was the street sign?' The correct answer is:

Answer: Yellow

The street sign was described as yellow, a standard color for 'ONE WAY' signage.

In a wanted poster exercise, officers must memorize: Samuel Torres, DOB 03/15/1985, 5'10", 190 lbs, brown hair, hazel eyes, scar on left cheek. A suspect matching this profile except with green eyes is apprehended. The officer should:

Answer: Detain the suspect and note the discrepancy in the report

All other features match closely. Eye color discrepancies may reflect poster inaccuracy, contact lenses, or lighting conditions. The officer should detain and report the discrepancy.

An officer observes a scene for 45 seconds: a red sports car, license plate MKZ-7730, parked in front of a bank; a woman in a gray pantsuit walking east; and a security guard watching from inside the bank's glass door. Which detail would be LEAST useful in an incident report about a bank robbery that occurred immediately after?

Answer: The type of car (sports car)

The car type (sports car) is less specific than the plate number and color for identification purposes; the plate is the most useful vehicle identifier.

An officer memorizes a suspect description broadcast over the radio: Black male, approximately 30 years old, 6'2", wearing a gray hoodie, blue jeans, white sneakers, last seen running east on Oak Street. An officer spots a black male, 6'2", in a gray hoodie, blue jeans, but wearing black boots, walking calmly on Oak Street. The MOST appropriate action is:

Answer: Approach and identify the individual given the strong physical match despite footwear discrepancy

Height, race, age range, hoodie color, and pants match perfectly. Footwear and gait can change quickly. The strong match warrants an approach and identification.

After viewing a 60-second video of a crowded hallway, an officer is asked: 'How many people were carrying bags?' The officer counted 3 people with bags. The correct answer is also 3. What does this result indicate?

Answer: The officer has above-average observational memory

Accurately counting a specific category of detail (bag-carriers) in a crowded, dynamic scene after a single viewing demonstrates strong focused observational memory.

An officer is asked to recall the order in which four people entered a room: first a man in a blue suit, then a woman with a red umbrella, then two children holding hands, then a man in a security uniform. In what order did the children enter?

Answer: Third

The children entered third, after the man in the blue suit and the woman with the red umbrella.