What term best describes a non-intrusive, quick touch search to detect weapons?

• A. Pat down
• B. Exterior scan
• C. Custodial search
• D. Frisk

Answer: (D)

Frisk is a quick, non-intrusive pat-down of a person’s outer clothing to detect weapons during a stop. This limited search is done to ensure safety and is allowed when there’s reasonable suspicion, focusing only on whether a weapon is present and never probing for contraband or conducting a full examination. The term emphasizes the protective nature of the action and its brief, outer-layer scope. While a pat-down covers similar ground, frisk is the standard label used to describe this brief, weapon-detection search. Exterior scan isn’t a recognized term for this procedure, and custodial search refers to a much more intrusive, full search conducted after arrest.