What is reasonable suspicion primarily based upon?

Reasonable suspicion is primarily based on the totality of circumstances, which means that it takes into account all the relevant facts and context surrounding a situation. This concept allows law enforcement to make a decision based on their experiences, observations, and the behavior of individuals in a particular setting rather than relying on a single factor or observation. The totality of circumstances includes various elements such as the conduct of the subject, time, location, and any other pertinent information that might lead an officer to reasonably suspect that a crime is occurring, has occurred, or will occur.

This principle recognizes that officers often need to make quick judgments in dynamic situations, and a comprehensive assessment of all observable factors is essential to determining whether reasonable suspicion exists to justify further investigation or a stop. In contrast, relying solely on a single observation or personal assumptions would not provide a solid foundation for reasonable suspicion, rendering those options inadequate. Witness testimony can be a component of the totality of circumstances but does not solely define reasonable suspicion on its own.