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Chapter 4 
Searches 
Hess 4-1
Introduction 
 Supreme Court defined a search as a governmental 
infringement of a legitimate expectation of privacy 
 Investigators make many kinds of searches 
 Searching is a vital task in most criminal investigations 
 Through searching, evidence of crime and against 
criminals is obtained 
 Every search must be firmly based on an understanding 
of the restrictions 
Hess 4-2
Legal Searches and the Fourth Amendment 
LEGAL OVERVIEW 
 Balance between individual liberties and the rights of 
society 
 Meant to ensure citizens dignity and privacy 
 Courts are bound by rules 
 Legality of a search must always be kept in mind 
 Systematic and thorough 
Hess 4-3
Basic Limitation on Searches 
SCOPE 
 All searches have one limitation 
 Laws regulating searches are numerous and complex 
 Officers must know the laws and operate within them 
 The penalty for not doing so is extreme 
 Evidence from illegal searches not allowed at trial 
Hess 4-4
UNREASONABLE SEARCHES 
 Courts enforce the prohibition against unreasonable 
searches 
 Affects illegally seized evidence 
THE INEVITABLE DISCOVERY EXCEPTION 
 Inevitable-discovery doctrine 
 Intent of the exclusionary rule 
Hess 4-5 
The Exclusionary Rule
THE GOOD FAITH EXCEPTION 
 United States v. Leon (1984) 
 Apparently valid search warrant 
 Modification of the exclusionary rule 
 Evidence seized in reasonably good faith 
 Good-faith doctrine 
Hess 4-6 
The Exclusionary Rule
Justification for Reasonable Searches 
SEARCH WITH A WARRANT 
 Search warrant has been issued 
 Consent is given 
 Officer stops a suspicious person and believes the 
person may be armed 
 Search is incidental to a lawful arrest 
 Emergency exists 
Hess 4-7
Justification for Reasonable Searches 
SEARCH WITH CONSENT 
 United States v. Matlock (1974) 
 Wright v. United States (1938) 
 Illinois v. Rodriguez (1990) 
 Schneckloth v. Bustamonte (1973) 
 Georgia v. Randolph (2006) 
Hess 4-8
Justification for Reasonable Searches 
PATDOWN OR FRISK DURING A STOP 
 Suspicious circumstances 
 Identify someone who 
looks like a suspect 
 Reasonable suspicion 
 Terry v. Ohio (1968) 
 Terry stop 
 Might be armed and dangerous 
Hess 4-9
Justification for Reasonable Searches 
SEARCH INCIDENT TO ARREST 
 Immediate control area 
 Protective sweep, or Buie sweep 
SEARCH IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION 
 No time to secure a warrant 
 Imminent danger to public safety 
 Medical emergencies 
Hess 4-10
Justification for Reasonable Searches 
SEARCH IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION 
 Three conditions met under exigent circumstances 
 Must believe a real emergency exists 
 Requiring immediate action 
 Primarily to find evidence 
 Emergency and area searched must have a connection 
Hess 4-11
Justification for Reasonable Searches 
WARRANTLESS SEARCHES OF VEHICLES 
 Seizure within the meaning of the Fourth Amendment 
 Pretext stops 
 Searches of passengers in a stopped vehicle 
 Searches of vehicles incident to and contemporaneous 
with lawful arrests 
 Inventory searches 
Hess 4-12
CRIME SCENE SEARCH OVERVIEW 
 Establish a crime was committed 
 Establish what the crime was 
 Establish when the crime was committed 
 Identify who committed the crime 
 Explain how the crime was committed 
 Suggest why the crime was committed 
Hess 4-13 
The Crime Scene Search
ORGANIZING THE CRIME SCENE SEARCH 
 Dividing the duties 
 Selecting a search pattern 
 Assigning personnel 
 Giving instructions 
Hess 4-14 
The Crime Scene Search
PHYSICAL EVIDENCE 
 Ranges from very large objects to minute 
 Know what types of evidence to search for 
 Often found on or near the route used to and from a 
crime 
 Frequently found on or near a dead body 
 Elephant-in-a-matchbox doctrine 
Hess 4-15 
The Crime Scene Search
EXTERIOR SEARCHES 
 Small, large areas 
 Can be divided 
 Diagrammed on paper 
 Lane-search pattern 
 Circle-search pattern 
 Zone- or sector-search pattern 
Hess 4-16 
Search Patterns
INTERIOR SEARCHES 
 General to specific 
 Circular pattern 
 Cover all surfaces 
 Floor should be searched first 
Hess 4-17 
Search Patterns
GENERAL GUIDELINES 
 Systematic search covering entire area 
PLAIN-SENSE EVIDENCE 
 Plain-view evidence 
 Plain feel/touch 
 Plain smell 
 Plain hearing 
Hess 4-18 
Search Patterns
Other Types of Investigatory Searches 
BUILDING SEARCHES 
 Familiarize yourself with the location 
 Discuss a plan of action 
 Access all available resources 
 Think safety first and last 
 Extreme caution in the fatal funnel 
Hess 4-19
Other Types of Investigatory Searches 
TRASH OR GARBAGE CAN SEARCHES 
 California v. Greenwood (1988) 
 Trash pulls 
 Crime has been committed 
 Relevant evidence likely 
 Trash must not be located within the curtilage 
 Consult with your agencys legal advisors 
Hess 4-20
Other Types of Investigatory Searches 
VEHICLE SEARCHES 
 Remove occupants 
 Search area around vehicle 
 Search exterior 
 Side from front to back 
 Return along the other 
side to the front 
Hess 4-21
Other Types of Investigatory Searches 
SUSPECT SEARCHES 
 Wear protective gloves 
 Not been arrested 
 Patdown or frisk for weapons 
 Been arrested 
 Thorough body search for weapons and evidence 
 Inhibitors to a thorough search 
Hess 4-22
Other Types of Investigatory Searches 
DEAD BODY SEARCHES 
 Done only after the coroner or medical examiner has 
arrived 
 Coroner has given permission 
 Search around and beneath the body after removal 
 Policy determines the extent of a search 
 Search systematically and completely 
Hess 4-23
Other Types of Investigatory Searches 
UNDERWATER SEARCHES 
 Limited visibility 
 Extreme water temperature 
 Swift currents and hazardous materials 
 Crime scene or accident scene 
 Metal detectors 
Hess 4-24
VALUABLE FORCE MULTIPLIER 
 Trained to detect drugs and 
other chemicals 
 Locate suspects 
 Narcotics 
 Explosives 
 Cadavers and more 
Hess 4-25 
Use of Dogs in a Search
RECOGNIZED EXCEPTIONS 
 No search 
 Independent justification 
 Exigent circumstances 
 Fleeing target 
Hess 4-26 
Warrant Checklist
OVERVIEW 
 Fourth Amendment 
 Officers actions must be reasonable 
 Outline details 
 Present full situation 
 Totality of the circumstances 
Hess 4-27 
A Reminder
Summary 
 Fourth Amendment to the Constitution forbids 
unreasonable searches and seizures 
 Investigators must know what constitutes a reasonable, 
legal search 
 The scope must be narrow; general searches are 
unconstitutional 
 Search patterns have been developed that help ensure 
a thorough search 
 Always be on your guard 
Hess 4-28

More Related Content

Hess10 chap4

  • 2. Introduction Supreme Court defined a search as a governmental infringement of a legitimate expectation of privacy Investigators make many kinds of searches Searching is a vital task in most criminal investigations Through searching, evidence of crime and against criminals is obtained Every search must be firmly based on an understanding of the restrictions Hess 4-2
  • 3. Legal Searches and the Fourth Amendment LEGAL OVERVIEW Balance between individual liberties and the rights of society Meant to ensure citizens dignity and privacy Courts are bound by rules Legality of a search must always be kept in mind Systematic and thorough Hess 4-3
  • 4. Basic Limitation on Searches SCOPE All searches have one limitation Laws regulating searches are numerous and complex Officers must know the laws and operate within them The penalty for not doing so is extreme Evidence from illegal searches not allowed at trial Hess 4-4
  • 5. UNREASONABLE SEARCHES Courts enforce the prohibition against unreasonable searches Affects illegally seized evidence THE INEVITABLE DISCOVERY EXCEPTION Inevitable-discovery doctrine Intent of the exclusionary rule Hess 4-5 The Exclusionary Rule
  • 6. THE GOOD FAITH EXCEPTION United States v. Leon (1984) Apparently valid search warrant Modification of the exclusionary rule Evidence seized in reasonably good faith Good-faith doctrine Hess 4-6 The Exclusionary Rule
  • 7. Justification for Reasonable Searches SEARCH WITH A WARRANT Search warrant has been issued Consent is given Officer stops a suspicious person and believes the person may be armed Search is incidental to a lawful arrest Emergency exists Hess 4-7
  • 8. Justification for Reasonable Searches SEARCH WITH CONSENT United States v. Matlock (1974) Wright v. United States (1938) Illinois v. Rodriguez (1990) Schneckloth v. Bustamonte (1973) Georgia v. Randolph (2006) Hess 4-8
  • 9. Justification for Reasonable Searches PATDOWN OR FRISK DURING A STOP Suspicious circumstances Identify someone who looks like a suspect Reasonable suspicion Terry v. Ohio (1968) Terry stop Might be armed and dangerous Hess 4-9
  • 10. Justification for Reasonable Searches SEARCH INCIDENT TO ARREST Immediate control area Protective sweep, or Buie sweep SEARCH IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION No time to secure a warrant Imminent danger to public safety Medical emergencies Hess 4-10
  • 11. Justification for Reasonable Searches SEARCH IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION Three conditions met under exigent circumstances Must believe a real emergency exists Requiring immediate action Primarily to find evidence Emergency and area searched must have a connection Hess 4-11
  • 12. Justification for Reasonable Searches WARRANTLESS SEARCHES OF VEHICLES Seizure within the meaning of the Fourth Amendment Pretext stops Searches of passengers in a stopped vehicle Searches of vehicles incident to and contemporaneous with lawful arrests Inventory searches Hess 4-12
  • 13. CRIME SCENE SEARCH OVERVIEW Establish a crime was committed Establish what the crime was Establish when the crime was committed Identify who committed the crime Explain how the crime was committed Suggest why the crime was committed Hess 4-13 The Crime Scene Search
  • 14. ORGANIZING THE CRIME SCENE SEARCH Dividing the duties Selecting a search pattern Assigning personnel Giving instructions Hess 4-14 The Crime Scene Search
  • 15. PHYSICAL EVIDENCE Ranges from very large objects to minute Know what types of evidence to search for Often found on or near the route used to and from a crime Frequently found on or near a dead body Elephant-in-a-matchbox doctrine Hess 4-15 The Crime Scene Search
  • 16. EXTERIOR SEARCHES Small, large areas Can be divided Diagrammed on paper Lane-search pattern Circle-search pattern Zone- or sector-search pattern Hess 4-16 Search Patterns
  • 17. INTERIOR SEARCHES General to specific Circular pattern Cover all surfaces Floor should be searched first Hess 4-17 Search Patterns
  • 18. GENERAL GUIDELINES Systematic search covering entire area PLAIN-SENSE EVIDENCE Plain-view evidence Plain feel/touch Plain smell Plain hearing Hess 4-18 Search Patterns
  • 19. Other Types of Investigatory Searches BUILDING SEARCHES Familiarize yourself with the location Discuss a plan of action Access all available resources Think safety first and last Extreme caution in the fatal funnel Hess 4-19
  • 20. Other Types of Investigatory Searches TRASH OR GARBAGE CAN SEARCHES California v. Greenwood (1988) Trash pulls Crime has been committed Relevant evidence likely Trash must not be located within the curtilage Consult with your agencys legal advisors Hess 4-20
  • 21. Other Types of Investigatory Searches VEHICLE SEARCHES Remove occupants Search area around vehicle Search exterior Side from front to back Return along the other side to the front Hess 4-21
  • 22. Other Types of Investigatory Searches SUSPECT SEARCHES Wear protective gloves Not been arrested Patdown or frisk for weapons Been arrested Thorough body search for weapons and evidence Inhibitors to a thorough search Hess 4-22
  • 23. Other Types of Investigatory Searches DEAD BODY SEARCHES Done only after the coroner or medical examiner has arrived Coroner has given permission Search around and beneath the body after removal Policy determines the extent of a search Search systematically and completely Hess 4-23
  • 24. Other Types of Investigatory Searches UNDERWATER SEARCHES Limited visibility Extreme water temperature Swift currents and hazardous materials Crime scene or accident scene Metal detectors Hess 4-24
  • 25. VALUABLE FORCE MULTIPLIER Trained to detect drugs and other chemicals Locate suspects Narcotics Explosives Cadavers and more Hess 4-25 Use of Dogs in a Search
  • 26. RECOGNIZED EXCEPTIONS No search Independent justification Exigent circumstances Fleeing target Hess 4-26 Warrant Checklist
  • 27. OVERVIEW Fourth Amendment Officers actions must be reasonable Outline details Present full situation Totality of the circumstances Hess 4-27 A Reminder
  • 28. Summary Fourth Amendment to the Constitution forbids unreasonable searches and seizures Investigators must know what constitutes a reasonable, legal search The scope must be narrow; general searches are unconstitutional Search patterns have been developed that help ensure a thorough search Always be on your guard Hess 4-28

Editor's Notes

  • #4: Learning Objective: Do you know which constitutional amendment restricts investigative searches? The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution forbids unreasonable searches and seizures. Learning Objective: Do you know what is required for an effective search? To conduct an effective search, know the legal requirements for searching, the items being searched for and the elements of the crime being investigated; be organized, systematic and thorough.
  • #5: Learning Objective: Do you know what basic restriction is placed on all searches? The most important limitation on any search is that the scope must be narrow. General searches are unconstitutional.
  • #6: Learning Objective: Do you know what the exclusionary rule is and how it affects investigators? The exclusionary rule established that courts may not accept evidence obtained by unreasonable search and seizure, regardless of its relevance to a case. Weeks v. United States (1914) made the rule applicable at the federal level; Mapp v. Ohio (1961) made it applicable to all courts.
  • #8: Learning Objective: Do you know what the preconditions and limitations of a legal search are? A search can be justified and therefore considered legal if any of the following conditions are met: A search warrant has been issued. Consent is given. An officer stops a suspicious person and believes the person may be armed. The search is incidental to a lawful arrest. An emergency exists. Also, a search conducted with a warrant must be limited to the specific area and specific items named in the warrant, in accordance with the particularity requirement (Stanford v. Texas, 1965).
  • #9: Learning Objective: Do you know what the preconditions and limitations of a legal search are? Consent to search must be voluntary, and the search must be limited to the area for which consent is given.
  • #10: Learning Objective: Do you know what the preconditions and limitations of a legal search are? The Terry decision established that a patdown or frisk is a protective search for weapons and as such must be confined to a scope reasonably designed to discover guns, knives, clubs and other hidden instruments for the assault of a police officer or others.
  • #11: Learning Objective: Do you know what the preconditions and limitations of a legal search are? The Chimel decision established that a search incidental to a lawful arrest must be made simultaneously with the arrest and must be confined to the area within the suspects immediate control.
  • #12: Learning Objective: Do you know when a warrantless search is justified? A warrantless search in the absence of a lawful arrest or consent is justified only in emergencies or exigent circumstances where probable cause exists and the search must be conducted immediately (New York v. Quarles, 1984).
  • #13: Learning Objective: Do you know what precedents are established by the Weeks, Mapp, Terry, Chimel, Carroll and Chambers decisions? Carroll: Established that automobiles may be searched without a warrant if (1) there is probable cause for the search and (2) the vehicle would be gone before a search warrant could be obtained. Chambers v. Maroney (1970): Established that a vehicle may be taken to headquarters to be searched. Chimel: Established that a search incidental to a lawful arrest must be made simultaneously with the arrest and must be confined to the area within the suspects immediate control. Weeks and Mapp: The exclusionary rule established that courts may not accept evidence obtained by unreasonable search and seizure, regardless of its relevance to a case. Weeks v. United States (1914) made the rule applicable at the federal level; Mapp v. Ohio (1961) made it applicable to all courts. Terry: Established that a patdown or frisk is a protective search for weapons and as such must be confined to a scope reasonably designed to discover guns, knives, clubs and other hidden instruments for the assault of a police officer or others.
  • #14: Learning Objective: Do you know what a successful crime scene search accomplishes? A successful crime scene search locates, identifies and preserves all evidence present.
  • #15: Learning Objective: Do you know what is included in organizing a crime scene search? Organizing a search includes dividing the duties, selecting a search pattern, assigning personnel and equipment and giving instructions.
  • #16: Learning Objective: Do you know what physical evidence is? Knowing what to search for is indispensable to an effective crime scene search. Physical evidence is anything material and relevant to the crime being investigated.
  • #17: Learning Objective: Do you know what search patterns are used in exterior searches? Exterior search patterns divide an area into lanes, strips, concentric circles or zones.
  • #18: Learning Objective: Do you know what search patterns are used in interior searches? Interior searches go from the general to the specific, usually in a circular pattern, covering all surfaces of a search area. The floor should be searched first.
  • #19: Learning Objective: Do you know whether evidence left in plain view may be lawfully seized and whether it is admissible in court? Plain-view evidenceunconcealed evidence seen by an officer engaged in a lawful activityis admissible in court.
  • #22: Learning Objective: Do you know how to search a vehicle? Remove occupants from the car. First, search the area around the vehicle, and then the exterior. Finally, search the interior along one side from front to back, and then return along the other side to the front.
  • #23: Learning Objective: Do you know how to search a suspect? If the suspect has not been arrested, confine your search to a patdown or frisk for weapons. If the suspect has been arrested, make a complete body search for weapons and evidence. In either event, always be on your guard.
  • #24: Learning Objective: Do you know how to search a dead body? Search a dead body systematically and completely. Include the immediate area around and under the body.
  • #26: Learning Objective: Do you know how dogs can be used in searches? Dogs can be trained to locate suspects, narcotics, explosives, cadavers and more.