Capital Watch: What is Suspicious Behavior? (2024)

FAQs

What is considered suspicious behavior? ›

Exhibiting unusual mental or physical symptoms. Unusual noises like screaming, yelling, gunshots or glass breaking. Individuals in a heated argument, yelling or cursing at each other.

While we can't describe every possible behavior that can elicit suspicion, we can highlight the more common worrisome behaviors: Loitering for a lengthy amount of time. Constantly looking around (most people find something to hold their attention as they wait, such as tv, magazine, or phone)

If you see suspicious activity, report it to local law enforcement or a person of authority.

Examples of suspicious in a Sentence

We were instructed to report any suspicious activity in the neighborhood. The suspicious vehicle was reported to police. Suspicious characters were seen hanging around the bank. He found a suspicious lump on his back and was afraid it might be cancer.

Suspicious activity is any observed behavior that could indicate a person may be involved in a crime or about to commit a crime.

a client with no discernible reason for using the firm's service, e.g. clients with distant addresses who could find the same services nearer their home base; clients whose requirements are not in the normal pattern of the firm's business which could be more easily serviced elsewhere; and.

Other synonyms include apprehensive, doubtful, wary, and watchful.

How do you describe a suspicious person? ›

A suspicious person is either one who is. exhibiting suspicious behavior, or who is in an area or doing something that is not normal. • Other unusual behavior may include nervousness, nervous glancing or other signs of mental. discomfort/being ill-at-ease.

Nervousness & Suspicious Activity

Anxiety and nervousness can result from a person acting out of character due to an unexpected disturbance. People who are engaged in illegal or suspicious activities may exhibit nervousness or anxiety, including pacing or repeatedly checking their watch or phone.

The purpose of the BSA is to combat some of the most common forms of suspicious activity, including money laundering, theft, tax evasion, financial fraud, and more.

Reasonable suspicion allows an officer to stop a vehicle, and to stop a person walking down the street. If the officer can point to specific facts that imply a person has a weapon, the officer may pat down the person for weapons, or search through the passenger compartment of a vehicle where a weapon might be hidden.

Impersonation of authorized personnel (e.g., police/security officers, janitor, or other personnel). Misrepresentation. Presenting false information or misusing insignia, documents, and/or identification to misrepresent one's affiliation as a means of concealing possible illegal activity. Theft/Loss/Diversion.

Reasonable suspicion means that the officer can explain why a crime has likely occurred, and point to reasons for that conclusion. For a detention to be valid, those reasons must be convincing to another person looking at the facts and conclusions at a later time.

5. Unusual Body Language. People who are involved in suspicious activities may display aggressive or defensive body language, such as clenching their fists or crossing their arms. They may also exhibit unusual postures or gestures, such as standing too close to a wall or holding an object in an unusual manner.

Behavioral factors to watch for include: Nervousness, nervous glancing or other signs of mental discomfort/being ill-at-ease. This may include sweating, "tunnel vision" (staring forward inappropriately), and repeated inappropriate prayer (e.g., outside the facility) or muttering.