Which term is a limited investigatory stop based on reasonable suspicion?

• A. Stop and frisk
• B. Third degree
• C. Uniform Crime Reports
• D. Terry stop

Answer: (D)

A brief, suspicion-driven detention is defined in law as a Terry stop. It comes from Terry v. Ohio and refers to a limited stop to investigate possible criminal activity when the officer has reasonable suspicion. The stop must be brief and its scope narrow, and a frisk (a quick pat-down for weapons) may accompany it if there’s a reasonable belief the person is armed. This makes it the best term for a limited investigatory stop based on reasonable suspicion. The other options don’t fit: stop and frisk describes the actions that may occur during such a stop, not the stop’s name; Uniform Crime Reports is just a data collection system; third degree is a historical crime charge level, not a stop concept.