Which search method involves visually dividing the body into four sections or quadrants and then physically patting and squeezing the clothing in each quadrant?

• A. Clothed search
• B. Visual search
• C. Pat search
• D. Custodial search

Answer: (A)

Clothed search focuses on checking for concealed items without removing clothing. The method uses a systematic, four-quadrant approach: divide the body into upper-left, upper-right, lower-left, and lower-right sections, then visually inspect and perform a pat-down of the clothing in each quadrant to feel for anything hidden inside or beneath the fabric. This combination of sight plus careful touching helps uncover objects that might be tucked into pockets, folds, or seams, while keeping the person clothed and reducing the chance of missing something. Visual search alone can miss items concealed by clothing, and a general pat-down without the quadrant structure may be less thorough or consistent. Custodial search is a broader term that covers searches in custody and isn’t specifically the quadrant-based clothed approach described here.