What kind of evidence contributes to establishing reasonable suspicion?

Reasonable suspicion is a legal standard used in law enforcement that allows officers to briefly stop and question a person based on specific, articulable facts. The key term here is "articulable facts and circumstances," which refers to observable behavior and particular details that lead law enforcement to conclude that a person may be involved in criminal activity. This means that the officer must be able to articulate specific reasons for their suspicion, rather than acting on vague feelings or generalizations.

Articulable facts could include the time of day, the location of the encounter, the conduct of the individual, or any other observable evidence that may contribute to a reasonable belief that criminal activity is afoot. This standard is grounded in the Fourth Amendment, which protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures, ensuring that there is a basis for suspicion rather than arbitrary judgment.

Other options such as hearsay from a witness, concrete physical evidence, or general rumors do not fulfill the requirement for establishing reasonable suspicion. Hearsay typically does not provide a solid basis for action because it relies on secondhand information, which may not be reliable. While concrete physical evidence can lead to reasonable suspicion, it is not required for such a standard to be met; direct observations suffices. General rumors are also too