What aspect should NOT influence inventory searches according to police procedure?

Inventory searches are conducted by law enforcement when a vehicle is impounded, and the primary purpose is to protect the owner’s property, protect the police from claims of lost or stolen property, and ensure officer safety. According to police procedure, these searches should be standardized and objective, focusing on the contents of the vehicle and ensuring that the process is not influenced by subjective factors.

The standard police procedure emphasizes that the decision to conduct an inventory search should not be swayed by the visible contents or what is in plain view within the vehicle. Instead, the search should follow established protocols regardless of what officers see initially, maintaining an unbiased approach. This ensures that the search is conducted fairly and lawfully, without the influence of personal judgments about what might be present in the vehicle based on visibility.

Other factors do play a significant role in determining whether an inventory search is appropriate. For instance, the prior history of the vehicle owner might raise suspicions that lead to further investigations, while the lawfulness of the vehicle impoundment ensures that the search is justified legally. However, visible contents should not dictate the decision-making process regarding the inventory itself; hence, it is crucial to keep that component separate to uphold procedural integrity and avoid potential claims of unlawful searches.