What does the term "search and seizure" refer to in law enforcement?

The term "search and seizure" in law enforcement specifically pertains to the examination of a person's property for evidence, which is fundamentally about the authority of law enforcement to search for evidence of a crime and to seize any relevant items that can be used in a prosecution. This process is governed by laws that ensure Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures are upheld.

When officers conduct a search, they must have probable cause, consent, or a warrant, unless they are in exigent circumstances. The evidence gathered through legal search and seizure can play a critical role in the prosecution of a suspect by substantiating criminal charges.

While confiscating illegal substances may be an outcome of a legitimate search, it does not encapsulate the broader definition of "search and seizure." Surveillance, while it can lead to evidence collection, is not the same as physically searching a person’s property. Detaining suspects, although part of the law enforcement process, is a different procedure that does not directly relate to the act of searching for or seizing evidence. Thus, the focus on examining a person's property is what defines the term accurately in this context.