NYPD Visualization and Matching Flashcards

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?

Answer: The bushy eyebrows

Bushy eyebrows are a prominent facial feature visible at greater distances compared to dental gaps or small scars.

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?

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.

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?

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.

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:

Answer: North, along the main hallway

Her memorized layout placed the restrooms on the north wall, so she should move north along the hallway.

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?

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.

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?

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.

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?

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.