Patrol and Investigation Procedures Flashcards
7 cards from real State Trooper practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Patrol and Investigation Procedures flashcards as text
A trooper finds a suspicious package on the highway. What is the correct initial response?
Answer: Isolate, deny access, and notify a bomb disposal unit
The recommended response to suspicious packages is to isolate the area, deny access to bystanders, and notify specialized units rather than handling the package.
During a vehicle stop, a trooper smells the odor of marijuana. Under what legal standard may the trooper search the vehicle?
Answer: Probable cause
The odor of marijuana alone can establish probable cause to search a vehicle without a warrant in many jurisdictions.
What is the purpose of a 'perimeter' established around a crime scene?
Answer: To protect physical evidence from contamination and control access
A crime scene perimeter preserves the integrity of physical evidence by preventing unauthorized access and contamination.
When conducting a pat-down (Terry frisk) of a detained individual, what is the legal justification?
Answer: Reasonable suspicion the person is armed and dangerous
A Terry frisk is limited to a pat-down for weapons when an officer has reasonable suspicion the detained person is armed and dangerous.
A trooper responding to a domestic disturbance should make which assessment upon arrival?
Answer: Observe and assess for signs of ongoing violence or weapons before entry
Observing the scene before entry allows the trooper to identify active threats and plan the safest approach.
Which of the following best describes the chain of custody in an investigation?
Answer: The documented record of who collected, handled, and stored evidence
Chain of custody is the chronological documentation ensuring evidence has been properly collected, handled, and stored, preserving its admissibility in court.
A trooper observes a driver commit a minor traffic violation but suspects the driver may be DUI. The trooper should:
Answer: Conduct a traffic stop based on the observed violation
A single observed traffic violation provides sufficient legal justification for a traffic stop, and the stop can then reveal additional evidence of impairment.