What term describes a complete search of a subject who has been taken into custody?

• A. Pat down
• B. Custodial examination
• C. Exterior sweep
• D. Custodial search

Answer: (D)

When someone is taken into custody, officers perform a thorough, all‑around search of the person to remove weapons and locate contraband, ensuring safety and preserving evidence. This complete search is referred to as a custodial search. A pat down, by contrast, checks only the outside of clothing for weapons and is limited in scope, not a full search of the person. An exterior sweep targets areas around the person or scene, not the individual themselves. A custodial examination means questioning or interviewing the arrestee while in custody, not a physical search. So the full, in-depth search of the arrestee is described by custodial search.