How is reasonable suspicion defined in the material?

• A. A hunch or the feeling of intuition.
• B. A definite belief of guilt.
• C. A guarantee of arrest.
• D. A full scale probable cause.

Answer: (A)

Reasonable suspicion, as described in the material, is a hunch or the feeling of intuition that something may be wrong and that a brief, limited investigation is warranted. It represents a lower threshold than proving guilt or having probable cause, and it allows investigators to take cautious steps short of an arrest or a full search. The other options describe stronger commitments—being certain of guilt, guaranteeing an arrest, or meeting the higher standard of probable cause—none of which fit this lighter standard.