jacobsen argued december decided april examination damaged package consisting cardboard box wrapped brown paper employees private freight carrier observed white powdery substance innermost series four plastic bags concealed tube inside package employees notified drug enforcement administration dea replaced plastic bags tube put tube back box dea agent arrived removed tube box plastic bags tube saw white powder opened bags removed trace powder subjected field chemical test determined cocaine subsequently warrant obtained search place package addressed warrant executed respondents arrested respondents indicted possessing illegal substance intent distribute motion suppress evidence ground warrant product illegal search seizure denied tried convicted appeals reversed holding validity warrant depended validity warrantless test white powder testing constituted significant expansion earlier private search warrant required held fourth amendment require dea agent obtain warrant testing white powder pp fact employees private carrier independently opened package made examination might impermissible government agent render unreasonable otherwise reasonable official conduct whether employees invasions respondents package accidental deliberate reasonable unreasonable private character violate fourth amendment additional invasions respondents privacy dea agent must tested degree exceeded scope private search pp dea agent removal plastic bags tube visual inspection contents enabled learn nothing previously learned private search infringed legitimate expectation privacy hence search within meaning fourth amendment although agent assertion dominion control package contents constituted seizure seizure reasonable since apparent tube plastic bags contained contraband little else light agent already knew contents package contents plain view constitutionally reasonable law enforcement officials seize effects support justifiable expectation privacy without warrant based probable cause believe contain contraband pp dea agent field test although exceeding scope private search unlawful search seizure within meaning fourth amendment governmental conduct reveal whether substance cocaine arguably private fact compromises legitimate privacy interest place destruction white powder course field test reasonable law enforcement interests justifying procedure substantial whereas trace amount material involved property already lawfully detained warrantless seizure de minimis impact protected property interest circumstances safeguards warrant minimally advance fourth amendment interests pp stevens delivered opinion burger blackmun powell rehnquist joined part iii white joined white filed opinion concurring part concurring judgment post brennan filed dissenting opinion marshall joined post david strauss argued cause briefs solicitor general lee assistant attorney general jensen deputy solicitor general frey joel gershowitz mark peterson argued cause filed brief respondents fred inbau wayne schmidt james manak howard berringer david crump daniel hales william randall evelle younger filed brief americans effective law enforcement et al amici curiae urging reversal john kenneth zwerling filed brief national association criminal defense lawyers amicus curiae urging affirmance justice stevens delivered opinion examination damaged package employees private freight carrier observed white powdery substance originally concealed within eight layers wrappings summoned federal agent removed trace powder subjected chemical test determined cocaine question presented whether fourth amendment required agent obtain warrant relevant facts dispute early morning may supervisor paul airport federal express office asked office manager look package damaged torn opened package order examine contents pursuant written company policy regarding insurance claims container ordinary cardboard box wrapped brown paper inside box five six pieces crumpled newspaper covered tube inches long tube made silver tape used basement ducts supervisor office manager cut open tube found series four plastic bags outermost enclosing three innermost containing six half ounces white powder observed white powder innermost bag notified drug enforcement administration first dea agent arrived replaced plastic bags tube put tube newspapers back box first federal agent arrived box still wrapped brown paper hole punched side top open placed desk agent saw one end tube slit open removed four plastic bags tube saw white powder opened four bags removed trace white substance knife blade field test made spot identified substance cocaine due course agents arrived made second field test rewrapped package obtained warrant search place addressed executed warrant arrested respondents indicted crime possessing illegal substance intent distribute motion suppress evidence ground warrant product illegal search seizure denied tried convicted appealed appeals reversed held validity search warrant depended validity agents warrantless test white powder testing constituted significant expansion earlier private search warrant required appeals recognized decision conflicted decision another appeals comparable facts barry cert denied reason field tests play important role enforcement narcotics laws granted certiorari first clause fourth amendment provides right people secure persons houses papers effects unreasonable searches seizures shall violated text protects two types expectations one involving searches seizures search occurs expectation privacy society prepared consider reasonable infringed seizure property occurs meaningful interference individual possessory interests property also consistently construed protection proscribing governmental action wholly inapplicable search seizure even unreasonable one effected private individual acting agent government participation knowledge governmental official walter blackmun dissenting wrapped parcel involved case delivered private freight carrier unquestionably effect within meaning fourth amendment letters sealed packages general class effects public large legitimate expectation privacy warrantless searches effects presumptively unreasonable even government agents may lawfully seize package prevent loss destruction suspected contraband fourth amendment requires obtain warrant examining contents package warrantless search characterized reasonable simply official invasion privacy occurred contraband discovered conversely case fact agents private carrier independently opened package made examination might impermissible government agent render otherwise reasonable official conduct unreasonable reasonableness official invasion citizen privacy must appraised basis facts existed time invasion occurred initial invasions respondents package occasioned private action invasions revealed package contained one significant item suspicious looking tape tube cutting end tube extracting contents revealed suspicious looking plastic bag white powder whether invasions accidental deliberate whether reasonable unreasonable violate fourth amendment private character additional invasions respondents privacy government agent must tested degree exceeded scope private search standard adopted majority walter supra walter private party opened misdirected carton found rolls motion picture films appeared contraband turned carton federal bureau investigation later without obtaining warrant fbi agents obtained projector viewed films single opinion majority agree appropriate analysis governmental search follows heels private one two justices took position properly authorized official search limited particular terms authorization least kind strict limitation must applied official use private party invasion another person privacy even though circumstances example results private search plain view materials turned government may justify government reexamination materials surely government may exceed scope private search unless right make independent search cases private party actually viewed films prior government screening one draw inferences films projection films significant expansion search conducted previously private party therefore must characterized separate search opinion stevens joined stewart omitted circumstances since employees fully ascertained nature films contacting authorities find fbi subsequent viewing movies projector change nature search additional search subject warrant requirement blackmun dissenting joined burger powell rehnquist jj omitted quoting sanders case walter case federal agents invasions respondents privacy involved two steps first removed tube box plastic bags tube trace powder innermost bag second made chemical test powder although ultimately conclude actions reasonable essentially reason useful discuss separately ii first federal agent scene initially saw package knew contained nothing significance except tube containing plastic bags ultimately white powder entirely clear powder visible removed tube box even white powder plain view still enclosed many containers covered papers virtual certainty nothing else significance package manual inspection tube contents tell anything already told respondents dispute government utilize federal express employees testimony concerning contents package case hardly infringed respondents privacy agents contents open package brushing aside crumpled newspaper picking tube advantage government gained thereby merely avoiding risk flaw employees recollection rather infringing respondents privacy protecting risk misdescription hardly enhances legitimate privacy interest protected fourth amendment respondents privacy interest contents package since remained unsealed since federal express employees examined package accord invited federal agent offices express purpose viewing contents agent viewing private party freely made available inspection violate fourth amendment see coolidge new hampshire burdeau mcdowell similarly removal plastic bags tube agent visual inspection contents enabled agent learn nothing previously learned private search infringed legitimate expectation privacy hence search within meaning fourth amendment agents assertion dominion control package contents constitute seizure seizure unreasonable fact prior field test respondents privacy interest contents package largely compromised highly relevant reasonableness agents conduct respect agents already learned great deal contents package federal express employees consistent see package previously opened remained unsealed federal express employees invited agents examine contents circumstances package longer support expectation privacy like balloon distinctive character spoke volumes contents particularly trained eye officer texas brown plurality opinion see also powell concurring judgment hypothetical gun case arkansas sanders containers may seized least temporarily without warrant accordingly since apparent tube plastic bags contained contraband little else warrantless seizure reasonable well settled constitutionally reasonable law enforcement officials seize effects support justifiable expectation privacy without warrant based probable cause believe contain contraband iii question remains whether additional intrusion occasioned field test conducted federal express employees therefore exceeded scope private search unlawful search seizure within meaning fourth amendment field test issue disclose one fact previously unknown agent whether suspicious white powder cocaine tell nothing even whether substance sugar talcum powder must first determine whether considered search subject fourth amendment infringe expectation privacy society prepared consider reasonable concept interest privacy society prepared recognize reasonable nature critically different mere expectation however well justified certain facts come attention authorities indeed distinction underlies rule government may utilize information voluntarily disclosed governmental informant despite criminal reasonable expectation associates disclose confidential information authorities see white plurality opinion chemical test merely discloses whether particular substance cocaine compromise legitimate interest privacy conclusion dependent result particular test probably safe assume virtually tests conducted circumstances comparable disclosed record result positive finding cases legitimate interest compromised even results negative merely disclosing substance something cocaine result reveals nothing special interest congress decided question power treat interest privately possessing cocaine illegitimate thus governmental conduct reveal whether substance cocaine arguably private fact compromises legitimate privacy interest conclusion dictated place held subjecting luggage sniff test trained narcotics detection dog search within meaning fourth amendment canine sniff narcotics detection dog however require opening luggage expose noncontraband items otherwise remain hidden public view example officer rummaging contents luggage thus manner information obtained investigative technique much less intrusive typical search moreover sniff discloses presence absence narcotics contraband item thus despite fact sniff tells authorities something contents luggage information obtained limited concluded part ii supra initial seizure package contents reasonable nevertheless place also holds seizure lawful inception nevertheless violate fourth amendment manner execution unreasonably infringes possessory interests protected fourth amendment prohibition unreasonable seizures field test affect respondents possessory interests protected amendment since destroying quantity powder converted temporary deprivation possessory interests permanent one assess reasonableness conduct must balance nature quality intrusion individual fourth amendment interests importance governmental interests alleged justify intrusion applying test conclude destruction powder course field test reasonable law enforcement interests justifying procedure substantial suspicious nature material made virtually certain substance tested fact contraband conversely trace amount material involved loss appears gone unnoticed respondents since property already lawfully detained seizure de minimis impact protected property interest cf cardwell lewis plurality opinion examination automobile tires taking paint scrapings de minimis invasion constitutional interests circumstances safeguards warrant minimally advance fourth amendment interests warrantless seizure reasonable sum federal agents infringe constitutionally protected privacy interest already frustrated result private conduct extent protected possessory interest infringed infringement de minimis constitutionally reasonable judgment appeals reversed footnotes appeals hold facts justified issuance warrant without reference test results merely held facts recited warrant application relied almost entirely results field tests support issuance warrant field test unlawful elementary passing validity warrant reviewing may consider information brought magistrate attention spinelli emphasis original quoting aguilar texas see illinois gates see also people adler cert denied cf andrews upholding warrantless field test without discussion cert denied see illinois andreas knotts smith maryland terry ohio see place brennan concurring result texas brown stevens concurring judgment see also chadwick hale henkel concept seizure property much discussed cases definition follows definition seizure person within meaning fourth amendment meaningful interference however brief individual freedom movement see michigan summers reid georgia per curiam mendenhall opinion stewart brown texas cupp murphy davis mississippi terry ohio see opinion stevens white concurring part concurring judgment janis coolidge new hampshire burdeau mcdowell chadwick van leeuwen ex parte jackson see also walter opinion stevens see place ross robbins california plurality opinion arkansas sanders chadwick van leeuwen supra course exception customs searches exception involved case see whiteley warden wong sun rios henry miller di byars affidavit indicates agent federal express may opened package suspicious contents damage forklift however lower courts found governmental involvement private search finding challenged respondents affidavit thus relevance issue decide see also footnotes omitted fact cartons unexpectedly opened third party shipment delivered intended consignee alter consignor legitimate expectation privacy private search merely frustrated expectation part simply strip remaining unfrustrated portion expectation fourth amendment protection walter majority found violation fourth amendment present purposes disagreement majority dissenters case respect comparison private search official search less significant agreement standard applied evaluating relationship two searches see smith maryland white plurality opinion osborn hoffa lewis lopez lee see also henry caceres see katz berger new york silverman daniel stegemoller federal express office manager testified suppression hearing white substance visible without reentering package time first agent arrived app justice white points magistrate found tube plain view box bags white powder visible end tube app pet cert bags however visible one picked tube peered inside small aperture even visible translucent bag contained white powder powder barely visible surely plainly view agents fail avert eyes post event respondents filed objections magistrate report district district declined resolve respondents objections ruling fact immaterial assuming purposes decision newspaper box covered gray tube neither gray tube contraband seen box turned dea agents app pet cert trial federal agent first scene testified powder visible pulled plastic bags tube app respondents continue argue case assumption magistrate report incorrect brief respondents discussion make clear agree district matter whether loose pieces newspaper covered tube time agent first saw box see caceres white plurality opinion osborn lee example lopez wrote stripped essentials petitioner argument amounts saying constitutional right rely possible flaws agent memory challenge agent credibility without beset corroborating evidence argument justify excluding accurate version conversation agent testify memory think risk petitioner took offering bribe davis fairly included risk offer accurately reproduced omitted reject justice white suggestion case indistinguishable one police simply learn private party container contains contraband seize owner conduct warrantless search justice white properly observes unconstitutional federal express employees lawfully possession package invited agent examine contents governmental conduct made possible private parties compromised integrity container justice white case turn fortuity whether federal express employees placed tube back box context previous examination package communication learned agent offer agent inspect act surely create privacy interest respect package otherwise exist see illinois andreas thus precise character white powder visibility naked eye far less significant facts container longer support expectation privacy virtually certain contained nothing contraband contrary justice white suggestion sanctio warrantless searches closed covered containers packages whenever probable cause exists result prior private search post container support reasonable expectation privacy may searched even probable cause without warrant see ross robbins california plurality opinion arkansas sanders chadwick magistrate district found agents took custody package federal express arrived although respondents entrusted possession items federal express decision governmental authorities exert dominion control package purposes clearly constituted seizure though necessarily unreasonable one see van leeuwen indeed one thing entire appeared agree walter see also ross robbins california plurality opinion respondents concede agents probable cause believe package contained contraband therefore need decide whether agents seized package based something less probable cause seizures justified articulable suspicion criminal activity see place see place texas brown plurality opinion stevens concurring judgment payton new york leasing harris per curiam obviously however legitimate expectation privacy definition means subjective expectation discovered burglar plying trade summer cabin season may thoroughly justified subjective expectation privacy one law recognizes legitimate presence words jones wrongful expectation privacy one society prepared recognize reasonable katz harlan concurring course merely tautological fall back notion expectations privacy legitimate depend primarily cases deciding issues criminal cases legitimation expectations privacy law must source outside fourth amendment either reference concepts real personal property law understandings recognized permitted society rakas illinois see also knotts use beeper track car movements infringed reasonable expectation privacy smith maryland use pen register record phone numbers dialed infringed reasonable expectation privacy see loewy fourth amendment device protecting innocent rev discussion course confined possession contraband necessarily case purely private possession article distributed commerce illegitimate see stanley georgia respondents attempt distinguish place arguing involved physical invasion place effects unlike conduct issue however quotation makes clear reason intrude upon legitimate privacy interest governmental conduct reveal nothing noncontraband items rationale fully applicable place held initial seizure luggage purpose subjecting dog sniff test reasonable seizure became unreasonable length unduly intruded upon constitutionally protected interests see see michigan long delaware prouse brignoniponce terry ohio camara municipal fact respondents contend amount material tested large enough make possible detected loss description record amount cocaine seized trace amount app see cupp murphy warrantless search seizure limited scraping suspect fingernails justified even full search may cf place approving brief warrantless seizure luggage purposes sniff test based minimal intrusiveness reasonable belief luggage contained contraband van leeuwen detention package reasonable suspicion justified since detention infringed significant fourth amendment interest course substantial invasions constitutionally protected interests involved warrantless search seizure unreasonable absence exigent circumstances see steagald payton new york dunaway new york chadwick suggest however seizure small amount material necessarily reasonable agent arbitrary decision take white powder finds neighbor sugar bowl medicine cabinet subject field test cocaine might well work unreasonable seizure justice white concurring part concurring judgment relatively easy concur judgment case since view case judged basis magistrate finding first dea agent arrived tube plain view box bags white powder visible end tube app pet cert although finding challenged district found unnecessary pass issue understand opinion however appeals accepted magistrate finding federal express manager placed bags back tube leaving visible tube end placed tube back box later gave box dea agent removed tube open box took bags tube extracted sample powder least appeals assumed contraband plain view appeals proceeded consider whether federal agent field test illegal extension private search invalidated field test solely reason particularly since respondents argue whether contraband plain view federal agent arrived irrelevant issue validity field test see brief respondents tr oral arg proceed basis clear plastic bags plain view agent arrived agent thus properly observed suspected contraband basis agree conclusion part iii appeals erred holding type chemical test conducted violated fourth amendment however read appeals opinion accepted magistrate finding refuses assume suspected contraband visible first dea agent arrived scene conducts examination record devotes major portion opinion discussion unnecessary facts found magistrate holds even bags visible agent arrived removal tube box plastic bags tube subsequent visual examination bags contents infringed legitimate expectation privacy hence search within meaning fourth amendment actions enabled agent learn nothing previously learned private search ante omitted disagree approach several reasons first already said respondents abandoned attack magistrate findings assert irrelevant whether suspected contraband plain view first dea agent arrived argue plastic bags opened contents tested without warrant short challenge expansion private search place reliance fact plastic bags containing suspected contraband might left plain view private searchers contend fourth amendment rights violated duplication private search alleged district necessitated condition private searchers returned package circumstances better course decide case basis facts found magistrate rejected appeals consider whether alleged expansion private search field test violated fourth amendment leave another day question whether federal agents duplicated prior private search search left contraband plain view second feels magistrate may erred concluding white powder plain view first agent arrived believes respondents abandoned challenge agent duplication prior private search nevertheless errs responding challenge task reviewing magistrate findings belongs district appeals first instance request perform function particularly since magistrate finding contraband plain view federal agent arrived sustained need address difficult constitutional question decided today better course therefore remand case rejecting appeals decision invalidating field test illegal expansion private search third case must judged basis plastic bags contents concealed first agent arrived disagree conclusion agent without warrant uncover unwrap tube remove contents simply private party previously done remainder opinion address issue governing principles respect constitutional protection afforded closed containers packages may readily discerned cases consistently rejected proposed distinctions worthy unworthy containers packages ross robbins california plurality opinion made clear fourth amendment provides protection owner every container conceals contents plain view otherwise unmistakably reveal contents ross supra see robbins california supra plurality opinion arkansas sanders although law enforcement officers may sometimes seize containers packages pending issuance warrants examine contents place texas brown stevens concurring judgment mere existence probable cause believe container package contains contraband plainly justify warrantless examination contents ante ross supra arkansas sanders supra chadwick prohibition warrantless searches applied notwithstanding manner police obtained probable cause first time sanctions warrantless searches closed covered containers packages whenever probable cause exists result prior private search declares fact governmental inspections following heels private searches searches long police private parties already done reaching conclusion excessively expands prior decisions recognizing fourth amendment proscribes governmental action burdeau mcdowell coolidge new hampshire observes fourth amendment wholly inapplicable search seizure even unreasonable one effected private individual acting agent government participation knowledge governmental official ante quoting walter blackmun dissenting private party revealed police information obtained private search exposed results search plain view fourth amendment interest implicated police done fail avert eyes coolidge new hampshire supra doctrine thus much common doctrine grounded proposition police lawfully position observe item firsthand owner privacy interest item lost illinois andreas emphasis added also shares many doctrinal underpinnings cases establishing fourth amendment prohibit obtaining information revealed third party conveyed government authorities miller although analogy imperfect since risks assumed person whose belongings subjected private search comparable assumed one voluntarily chooses reveal secrets companion undoubtedly fact private party conducted search might impermissible government agent render otherwise reasonable official conduct unreasonable ante fact repository personal property previously searched private party never used legitimize governmental conduct otherwise subject challenge fourth amendment government agents unwilling unable rely information testimony provided private party concerning results private search search left incriminating evidence plain view agents may wish duplicate private search observe firsthand private party related examine seize suspected contraband existence reported information provided private party clearly give agents probable cause secure warrant authorizing actions nothing previous cases suggests however agents may proceed conduct search lesser scope private search without first obtaining warrant walter supra white concurring part concurring judgment walter majority heavily relies opining additional invasions respondents privacy government agent must tested degree exceeded scope private search ante require conclusion justice stevens opinion walter contain language suggesting government free done earlier private searchers language unnecessary decision justice stevens recognized leaving open question whether government required obtain warrant private party first view films emphasizing ven though circumstances example results private search plain view materials turned government may justify government reexamination materials surely government may exceed scope private search unless right make independent search emphasis added justice blackmun dissent walter necessarily support today holding emphasized opened containers turned government agents clearly revealed nature contents see facts case least viewed support conclusion today decision also supported majority reference cases involving transmission previously private information police third party made privy information ante police may sure use confidences revealed third party establish probable cause purposes third party may testify confidences trial without violating fourth amendment never intimated individual reveals stores contraband particular container location acquaintance later betrays confidence expectation privacy container location police may thus search without warrant believe effect opinion private party breaks locked suitcase locked car even locked house observes incriminating information returns object search prior locked condition reports findings police majority apparently allow police duplicate prior search ground private search vitiated owner expectation privacy justice stevens previously observed conclusion rest proposition owner longer subjective expectation privacy since person expectation privacy altered subsequent events unaware walter supra majority ignores individual subjective expectations suggests reasonableness official invasion citizen privacy must appraised basis facts existed time invasion occurred ante view however reasonableness particular individual remaining expectation privacy turn entirely whether private search left incriminating evidence contraband plain view cf walter supra blackmun dissenting evidence contraband plain view container clearly announces contents end private search government subsequent examination previously searched object necessarily constitutes independent governmental search infringes fourth amendment privacy interests white concurring part concurring judgment majority opinion particularly troubling one considers logical implications distinguish case involves private search one private party knowledge later communicated government particular container concealed contraband nothing else arose presence time container sealed one private party learned container concealed contraband nothing else previously opened presence one private party knew certainty container concealed contraband nothing else result conversations owner cases approach adopted today seem suggest owner container legitimate expectation privacy contents government agents opening container without warrant strength information provided private party violate fourth amendment accept majority novel extension doctrine implications entire concept legitimate expectations privacy concur part iii opinion judgment justice brennan justice marshall joins dissenting case presents two questions first whether law enforcement officers may conduct warrantless search contents container merely private party previously examined container contents informed officers suspicious nature second whether law enforcement officers may conduct chemical field test substance officers legitimately located substance disagree treatment issues respectfully dissent agree entirely justice white expanded reach doctrine far beyond logical bounds ante white concurring judgment difficult understand respondents said expectation privacy closed container simply private party previously opened container viewed contents also agree justice white however private party presents contents container law enforcement officer manner contents plainly visible officer visual inspection contents constitute search within meaning fourth amendment record case unclear question whether contents respondents package plainly visible federal express employee showed package dea officer remand case factfinding central issue ii noted persuaded dea officer actually came upon respondents cocaine without violating fourth amendment accordingly need address legality chemical field test since done however address question assuming arguendo officer committed neither unconstitutional search unconstitutional seizure prior point took sample cocaine plastic bags conduct test agree hypothesized circumstances field test case search within meaning fourth amendment following reasons first officer came upon white powder innocently second hypothesized circumstances respondents reasonable expectation privacy chemical identity powder dea agents already able identify contraband virtual certainty texas brown stevens concurring judgment third test required destruction minute quantity powder however reached conclusion much broader ground relying two factors alone support proposition field test search first fact test revealed whether substance cocaine without providing information second assumption individual reasonable expectation privacy fact asserts conclusion dictated place ante stated canine sniff piece luggage constitute search much less intrusive typical search discloses presence absence narcotics contraband item presumably premise place individual reasonable expectation privacy presence absence narcotics luggage validity canine sniff case however neither briefed parties addressed courts indeed since ultimately held defendant luggage impermissibly seized discussion question wholly unnecessary judgment short justice blackmun pointed time certainly position consider ramifications important issue nonetheless concluded canine sniff sui generis aware investigative procedure limited manner information obtained content information revealed procedure therefore conclude particular course investigation agents intended pursue exposure respondent luggage located public place trained canine constitute search within meaning fourth amendment continuing along course hastily charted place prudent take opportunity view first real opportunity consider implications new fourth amendment jurisprudence indeed light two cases taught us contemporary law enforcement methods particularly important analyze basis upon redefined term search exclude broad class surveillance techniques view analysis demonstrates although conclusion correct case dictum place dangerously incorrect important however reasoning cases fundamentally misguided potentially lead development doctrine wholly odds principles embodied fourth amendment requirements fourth amendment apply searches seizures investigative technique falls within neither category need reasonable may employed without warrant without probable cause regardless circumstances surrounding use prohibitions fourth amendment however limited preconceived conceptions constitutes search seizure instead must apply constitutional language modern developments according fundamental principles fourth amendment embodies katz see amsterdam perspectives fourth amendment rev excluding class surveillance techniques reach fourth amendment therefore must certain none techniques excluded threatens areas personal security privacy amendment intended protect startling interpretation term search case place exclusive focus nature information item sought revealed use surveillance technique rather context information item concealed combining approach blanket assumption implicit place explicit case individuals society reasonable expectation privacy fact contraband possession adopts general rule surveillance technique constitute search reveals whether individual possesses contraband certainly true surveillance technique identifies presence absence contraband less intrusive technique reveals precise nature item regardless whether contraband seizing upon distinction alone conclude first type technique general matter search foreclosed consideration circumstances technique used may well paved way technology override limits law area criminal investigation example analysis cases law enforcement officers release trained dog paraphrase california appeal canine cocaine connoisseur roam streets random alerting officers people carrying cocaine cf people evans cal app cal rptr device developed aimed person detect instantaneously whether person carrying cocaine fourth amendment bar approach police setting device street corner scanning passersby fact analysis unbounded device developed detect outside building presence cocaine inside constitutional obstacle police cruising residential neighborhood using device identify homes drug present short interpretation fourth amendment first suggested place first applied case surveillance techniques constitute searches therefore freely pursued whenever wherever law enforcement officers desire hence point future stands theory adopted today search warrants probable cause even reasonable suspicion may well become notions past fortunately know precedents katz supra overruling trespass doctrine goldman olmstead ultimately stands ready prevent orwellian world coming pass although accepts must fundamental proposition investigative technique search within meaning fourth amendment intrudes upon privacy expectation society considers reasonable ante entirely omitted discussion considerations always guided decisions area determining whether reasonable expectation privacy violated always looked context item concealed identity concealed item thus cases involving searches physical items framed analysis first terms expectation privacy normally attends location item ultimately terms legitimacy expectation chadwick example held less one locks doors home intruders one safeguards possessions locking footlocker due protection fourth amendment holding based largely observation placing personal effects inside footlocker respondents manifested expectation contents remain free public examination ibid made point ross held fourth amendment provides protection owner every container conceals contents plain view fact container contains contraband indeed usually cases never altered analysis similarly katz held electronic eavesdropping constituted search fourth amendment violated reasonable expectation privacy reaching conclusion focused upon private context conversation question took place stating person knowingly exposes public subject fourth amendment protection seeks preserve private even area accessible public may constitutionally protected fact conversations involved katz incriminating alter consideration privacy issue consideration affect analysis payton new york reaffirmed principle home private even though may used harbor fugitive sum today always looked manner individual attempted preserve private nature particular fact determining whether reasonable expectation privacy upon government may intrude without substantial justification always upheld general conclusion searches constitute least extensive intrusions significantly jeopardize sense security paramount concern fourth amendment liberties white harlan dissenting nonetheless adopting suggestion place veered away sound approach focused instead solely product search ignored fundamental principle search prosecuted violation constitution made lawful brings light byars unfortunate product departure precedent undifferentiated rule allowing law enforcement officers free rein utilizing potentially broad range surveillance techniques reveal whether contraband present particular location new rule rendered irrelevant circumstances surrounding use technique accuracy technique privacy interest upon intrudes furthermore rule leaves room consider whether surveillance technique employed randomly selectively consideration surely implicates fourth amendment concerns see lafave search seizure although technique reveals presence absence illegal activity intrudes less private life individual investigation conventional techniques fact remains technique intrude view investigation intrudes upon domain individual reasonable expectation privacy home private container plainly search within meaning fourth amendment surely individual reasonable expectation privacy dissipates simply sophisticated surveillance technique employed say limited nature intrusion bearing general fourth amendment inquiry although exceptions general rule warrantless searches presumptively unreasonable isolated exceptions exist based balancing need search invasion search entails camara municipal hence may example limited intrusion effected given surveillance technique renders employment technique particular circumstances reasonable search fourth amendment see place blackmun concurring judgment dog sniff may search minimally intrusive one justified situation terry least wellsettled approach fourth amendment inquiry broad enough allow consideration method surveillance technique employed well circumstances attending use important however approach law enforcement procedures like involved case place may continue governed safeguards fourth amendment sum question whether employment particular surveillance technique constitutes search depends whether technique intrudes upon reasonable expectation privacy inquiry turn depends primarily private nature area item subjected intrusion cases involving techniques used locate identify physical item manner person attempted shield item existence identity public scrutiny usually key determining whether reasonable expectation privacy violated accordingly use techniques like dog sniff issue place constitutes search whenever police employ techniques secure information item concealed container prepared view supporting reasonable expectation privacy true technologically sophisticated method developed take place dog case chemical field test used determine whether certain white powder cocaine upon visual inspection powder isolation one identify cocaine abstract therefore possible individual keep powder way preserve reasonable expectation privacy identity instance might kept transparent pharmaceutical vial disguised legitimate medicine circumstances use chemical field test constitute search however case hypothesized see supra context powder found support reasonable expectation privacy particular substance found four plastic bags inside tube wrapped tape sent respondents via federal express essentially inconceivable legal substance packaged manner transport common carrier thus viewing powder offices federal express dea agent identify virtual certainty essentially though chemical identity powder plainly visible see texas brown stevens concurring judgment circumstances therefore respondents reasonable expectation privacy identity powder use chemical field test constitute search violative fourth amendment