Observation and Suspect Description Course 2026
This course is for security guards who need to notice what is happening and describe people and vehicles clearly to police. It covers situational awareness, using all your senses, head-to-toe descriptions, vehicle descriptions and passing on what you saw.
Respuesta rápida
Este curso gratuito tiene unos 15 minutos de lecciones y un test de 25 preguntas. Con un 80 % o más puedes descargar un certificado de finalización (privado, no acreditado). Contrastado con fuentes oficiales el 11 de octubre de 2026.
Qué aprenderás
- Use all five senses and a baseline to notice what does not fit
- Describe a person from head to toe in neutral, factual words
- Tell permanent features from ones that are easy to change
- Describe a vehicle, its plate and its direction of travel
- Report observations quickly and write them down as soon as possible
Obtén un 80 % o más para descargar tu certificado.
-
Pregunta 1 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: A. All five senses
Sounds, smells and even heat can warn you of trouble that you cannot see.
-
Pregunta 2 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: D. To set a baseline so changes stand out later
The syllabus describes initial checks that set a benchmark. Knowing normal helps you spot what is not.
-
Pregunta 3 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: C. Knowing what is going on around you and noticing changes
Awareness of your surroundings lets you spot problems early and stay safe.
-
Pregunta 4 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: C. From head to toe
A head-to-toe order helps you cover everything and makes the description easy to follow.
-
Pregunta 5 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: A. A tattoo on the person’s neck
Tattoos, scars and height stay the same. Hats, jackets and bags can be dropped or swapped in seconds.
-
Pregunta 6 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: A. Compare it with your own height or a doorway
Comparing with a known height gives a much better estimate.
-
Pregunta 7 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: B. Give a range, such as about 25 to 30
A range is honest and still helps police narrow their search.
-
Pregunta 8 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: C. Colour, length and style, and whether it might be dyed or a wig
Police descriptions include hair colour and style and note possible dye or wigs.
-
Pregunta 9 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: C. Facial hair, glasses, scars and marks
Specific facial features make a description far more useful than impressions.
-
Pregunta 10 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: B. Their voice, accent and the way they walk
Police descriptions include voice, speech and gait, such as a limp.
-
Pregunta 11 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: B. Bags, accessories or a weapon can help identify them and show the risk
Items carried can link the person to the event and warn responders of danger.
-
Pregunta 12 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: B. Man, about 30 to 35, about 180 cm, slim, short black hair, beard, grey hoodie, black jeans
Neutral, specific facts help police. Labels and opinions do not and can be unfair.
-
Pregunta 13 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: D. The licence plate and province
A plate lets police trace the vehicle quickly.
-
Pregunta 14 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: A. Plate, colour, make and model, and any damage
These details can be seen from outside and help police find the vehicle.
-
Pregunta 15 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: B. Note that it has no plate and a temporary permit
Police advice is to note missing plates and temporary permits.
-
Pregunta 16 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: B. So they can search in the right direction
Direction of travel helps responders look in the right place right away.
-
Pregunta 17 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: C. As soon as possible, with the date and time
Memory fades quickly. Early notes are the most accurate.
-
Pregunta 18 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: C. Stay on the phone and keep watching if it is safe
Police advice is to stay on the line and keep watching if you can do so safely.
-
Pregunta 19 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: B. So they do not mix up what they saw with what others say
Hearing other accounts can change what a person remembers.
-
Pregunta 20 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: C. They may have a decoy or partner nearby
Police advice is to watch for decoys or accomplices.
-
Pregunta 21 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: A. Poor lighting and a long distance
Light, distance, time and angle all affect how well you can see.
-
Pregunta 22 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: C. Bravo Victor Kilo, two four five
The phonetic alphabet and single digits stop letters and numbers being misheard.
-
Pregunta 23 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: C. A person looking into several parked cars and trying door handles
Report behaviour that points to a problem, not appearance alone.
-
Pregunta 24 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: C. Minor but critical details
Small details, such as a door that is slightly open, often matter most.
-
Pregunta 25 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: D. The exact location and time
Police advice is to note the exact location and the time as precisely as you can.
Teclado: 1–4 para responder, Intro para la siguiente pregunta.
Qué debes saber antes del examen
- Ontario’s guard training syllabus includes using all five senses, doing initial checks that set a benchmark, and noticing minor but critical details.
- Police advice is to build a description of a person from head to toe, including build, hair, clothing and distinguishing features such as scars, tattoos or glasses.
- To estimate height, police suggest comparing the person with your own height or a doorway.
- For a vehicle, note the plate, colour, make and model, any damage, and the direction it went.
- Write down what you saw as soon as possible, including the date and time.
Preguntas frecuentes
What is the most useful part of a suspect description?
Features that are hard to change, such as height, build, scars and tattoos, help most. Clothing helps in the first minutes but can be changed quickly.
How do I describe someone respectfully?
Stick to what you can see and hear: height, build, hair, skin tone, clothing and marks. Use neutral words, give ranges for age and height, and do not guess about a person’s background.
What if I only saw a vehicle?
Note the plate and province if you can, then the colour, make, model, type, damage or stickers, how many people were inside and which way it went.
¿El certificado está acreditado o reconocido oficialmente?
No. Es un certificado de finalización privado, solo para tus conocimientos. No está reconocido, acreditado ni aprobado por ningún gobierno, organismo de licencias, regulador ni institución educativa, y no sustituye ninguna licencia, certificación ni formación exigida por la ley.