I'm asking myself: What is the plan for what should be searched and what should not? I would like to know these logistical processes.
Applications for search warrants are written as broadly as possible, the only limitation is knowing that it has to be reasonable to avoid going back and forth with a judge that may ask for edits/justification before they will approve the warrant. A search for evidence on this specific warrant, which could be located absolutely anywhere on the property, means every square inch can be searched.
What should not be searched is whatever is left off the warrant by LE/not authorized by the judge. So the plan is always to legally find evidence related to the investigation of a specific crime and if evidence of any other crime is discovered, it too is useable.
If a search warrant is for a stolen engine, dresser drawers would not be a reasonable place to search, a prosecutor may not file drugs charges for something found in the drawers if they aren't on the warrant.
Perhaps the question is why all the miscellaneous boxes are being hauled out of the house. The list below means they could take containers of crafting supplies that have tape, scissors, yarn, boxes of years' worth of financial records, photo albums, boxes of jewelry and so much more. Most all of this stuff will eventually be released but they can't tell right then if it is actually evidence.
MOO but retired LE experienced in search warrants.
Rex Heuermann is currently in custody on charges related to the murders of three sex workers, whose bodies were in December 2010
meaww.com
Under "property sought" on the warrant, authorities put a lengthy list of items, many of which are listed as "trophies" which are personal items belonging to murder victims. That was to include their phones, articles of clothing, jewelry, identification, notebooks, ledgers, Bibles, personal effects and or photographs or recordings depicting the victims. Also sought were forensic and/or trace evidence, including DNA obtainable through fingernails, toenails, animal hair or fur, human hair and human skin fibers, bodily fluids as well as any latent fingerprints and palm prints. These things can be found on "furniture, mattresses, carpets, rugs, flooring, animal cages, crates, litters, playpens, beds, towers, steps (or) clothing." Electronic devices or computers in all their forms are listed on the warrant, along with any records, whether they be physical or electronic in nature. Other property sought is "any documents relating to the recent occupation/renting/tenancy/purchasing of known instrumentalities utilized in the designated offenses." This could include mail, bills or other similarly situated documents.Broadly, the warrant also mentions "any of the known instrumentalities involved in the commission of the designated offenses including...burlap (the remains of at least one of Heuermann's alleged victims was discovered wrapped in burlap), camouflage burlap fabric, 'jute-like' fabric, hunting blinds, restraints, belts, textile yarns, polyester fibers, cotton fibers," or any variety of tape. Other "trophy" items are listed separately, including condoms, cut distal ends of black leather belts, devices utilized to stamp letters onto leather goods, knives, scissors, cutting implements and "Bounty paper towels specifically from the Bounty Modern Print Collection." Firearms, magazines, cases, ammunition, bullet fragments and shell casings were listed as were "locked rooms, storage areas, vaults, cabinets, safes, closets, containers (including strong boxes, desks, drawers, suitcases, briefcases, boxes, hidden compartments or other such enclosures where items can be kept, hidden or secreted."
) He then married a woman about a week later that looked EXACTLY like her.
clickamericana.com
