What is prohibited during a cursory search?

The focus of a cursory search, often termed a "frisk" or "pat-down," is to ensure safety by checking for weapons or immediate threats without conducting an extensive examination of a person's entire body or their belongings. During this type of search, the individual is not subjected to a comprehensive assessment that would involve checking all personal items in detail or removing clothing layers. Instead, the search is limited to the outer clothing to identify potentially dangerous items, such as weapons, while respecting personal privacy and the boundaries associated with more invasive searches that would require probable cause or consent.

Extensive searches, like searching the entire body and personal belongings, go beyond the premise and legal boundaries typically associated with cursory searches and are often regulated by stricter legal standards. Thus, a cursory search is characterized by its limited scope, aiming primarily to determine if an individual poses an immediate threat rather than conducting a thorough investigation into their personal effects.