A frisk is defined as a search conducted on what basis?

• A. Probable cause to arrest.
• B. Reasonable suspicion the subject is armed or dangerous.
• C. A routine physical examination.
• D. A voluntary consent.

Answer: (B)

Frisk is a quick, limited pat-down of the outer clothing conducted during a stop when the officer has reasonable suspicion that the person is armed or dangerous. This basis is about protecting the officer and others from potential harm, and it comes from the stop-and-frisk framework established to allow a brief weapon search without full probable-cause arrest. It isn’t allowed on a mere hunch or for routine inspection, nor is it required to be based on consent. The scope is narrowly limited to detecting weapons, not a full or intrusive search.