Utah Special Function Officer (SFO) Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT considered a type of non-search?

1. Abandoned property

2. Private citizen search

3. Search warrant

4. Canine sniff

The correct answer is: Search warrant

A search warrant is a legal document that authorizes law enforcement officers to conduct a search of a particular location and seize specific items as evidence. This type of action is a formal search and requires probable cause and judicial approval, making it distinctly different from non-search actions. In contrast, abandoned property is typically not subject to Fourth Amendment protections as the owner has relinquished any reasonable expectation of privacy. A private citizen search refers to actions taken by individuals who are not government agents, where the government can benefit from the search without violating the Fourth Amendment, since no state action is involved. A canine sniff is generally classified as a non-search because it does not constitute a search under the Fourth Amendment when conducted in a way that does not intrude on privacy, such as sniffing around a vehicle parked in a public place. Thus, a search warrant is distinctly a formal search process, whereas abandoned property, private citizen searches, and canine sniffs operate outside traditional search protocols and are categorized as non-search actions.