What is the term for the temporary seizure of a person for investigation based on reasonable suspicion?

The term for the temporary seizure of a person for investigation based on reasonable suspicion is known as investigatory detention. This concept comes into play when law enforcement has a reasonable suspicion that a person is involved in criminal activity but does not yet have probable cause for an arrest. During this brief detention, officers can ask questions and potentially conduct a limited search, but the individual is not free to leave.

This procedure is critical in balancing the need for police to ensure public safety while respecting individual rights. The reasonable suspicion standard is lower than probable cause, allowing officers to act quickly in potentially dangerous situations without requiring the higher threshold necessary for an arrest.

The other terms presented do not refer to this specific scenario. A consensual encounter involves voluntary interactions without the seizure of a person, a traffic stop is a specific type of investigatory detention focused on vehicles and their occupants, and a body search pertains to searching an individual’s physical person rather than the detainment aspect itself.