Legal Definitions - inventory search

An inventory search is a procedure conducted by law enforcement when they take legal custody of property, such as a vehicle or personal belongings. Unlike a typical search for evidence of a crime, the primary purpose of an inventory search is administrative: to document the contents of the property.

The main goals of an inventory search are:

• To protect the owner's property from theft or damage while it is in police custody.
• To protect law enforcement agencies from false claims of lost or stolen property.
• To protect police officers and the public from potential dangers, such as weapons or hazardous materials, that might be hidden within the property.

Because its purpose is not to discover evidence of a crime, an inventory search is generally considered an exception to the Fourth Amendment's warrant requirement, provided it is conducted according to standardized police procedures and not as a pretext for an investigatory search.

Examples of an Inventory Search:

• Example 1: Vehicle Impoundment

  A driver is pulled over for a traffic violation and it's discovered they have an outstanding warrant. The driver is arrested, and because there's no one else available to legally drive the car, the police decide to have it towed and impounded. Before the tow truck arrives, an officer systematically searches the vehicle's interior, glove compartment, and trunk, documenting all items found. This process is an inventory search, ensuring that if the owner later claims a valuable item was missing from the car, the police have a record of its contents upon impoundment.

• Example 2: Personal Belongings at Booking

  A person is arrested and brought to the police station for booking. They are carrying a backpack, a wallet, and a cell phone. Before placing these personal items into a secure locker for safekeeping during the individual's detention, a booking officer opens the backpack and wallet, listing all their contents (e.g., "one wallet containing driver's license, three credit cards, $45 cash; one backpack containing a laptop, charger, and a paperback book"). This is an inventory search, designed to protect the individual's property and prevent claims against the police for lost or damaged items.

• Example 3: Found Property

  A police officer finds an expensive bicycle with a locked basket abandoned on a public street. After waiting a reasonable time and making efforts to locate the owner without success, the officer takes the bicycle into custody to be stored at the police station's lost and found. Before storing it, the officer opens the locked basket (if possible without damage) and lists its contents, such as "one water bottle, a set of keys, and a small toolkit." This documentation constitutes an inventory search, serving to protect the found property, assist in identifying the owner, and shield the police department from accusations of theft or mishandling of the items.