Utah Special Function Officer (SFO) Practice Exam

What is a present sense impression?

1. A statement made before an event occurs

2. A statement made during or directly after an event is observed

3. A document presented in court

4. A type of circumstantial evidence

The correct answer is: A statement made during or directly after an event is observed

A present sense impression refers to a statement made during or directly after an event is observed. This type of statement provides immediate commentary about an event while it is happening or immediately following its occurrence, capturing the context, emotions, and perceptions of the observer at that moment. The significance of this type of statement in legal contexts lies in its reliability, as it is often considered more trustworthy due to the spontaneous nature in which it is made—there is little time for reflection or alteration of the facts. Present sense impressions can be crucial in various legal situations, especially as they relate to eyewitness accounts or any circumstance where a person's immediate perception of an event is relevant to the understanding and interpretation of that event. Other options do not accurately define a present sense impression: statements made before an event occurs would be deemed speculative, and therefore unreliable; documents presented in court are formal evidentiary items, not oral impressions; and circumstantial evidence refers to information from which one can infer conclusions, which is distinct from the immediacy provided by present sense impressions.