The scope of a frisk is limited to which of the following?

The correct answer is the pat down of outer clothing. A frisk is a limited, brief search in which a law enforcement officer uses their hands to scan the exterior of a person's clothing for weapons or dangerous items that could pose a risk to the officer or others. This action is typically justified under the "stop and frisk" doctrine, where an officer has reasonable suspicion that a person may be armed and dangerous.

The limited nature of a frisk is designed to protect the officer's safety during an encounter and does not involve a thorough examination of the person's body or belongings. Importantly, a full body examination would exceed the permissible scope of a frisk, as would searching personal belongings or confiscating evidence without probable cause or a warrant. Thus, the correct interpretation of a frisk centers on the pat down approach, focusing solely on the outer clothing to ensure it is a straightforward and quick safety measure.