What is the proper scope of a pat-down search?

• A. Pat Down the Outer Clothing; If You Feel Something That Could Be a Weapon, You May Search Beneath the Outer Clothing
• B. Pat Down Only the Head
• C. Pat Down and Search All Body Cavities
• D. Pat-Down Requires a Warrant

Answer: (B)

A pat-down search is a quick, protective measure designed to detect weapons while minimizing intrusion. The proper scope is to run your hands over the outside of the person’s clothing to feel for any weapons. If you encounter something that could be a weapon, you may seize it and take steps to secure safety, but you do not conduct a full body search or probe into body cavities without additional justification. You also don’t limit the search to just the head; a frisk is about detecting weapons in the outer clothing, not performing a head-only or cavity search. And a warrant isn’t required for a lawful stop-and-frisk when there’s reasonable suspicion, since the goal is to ensure safety in a brief, minimally invasive encounter.