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Searching is the act of trying to find something or someone. One can distinguish
- searching for something that is known to exist, such as an object that a poorly-organized person has stored, or that someone else has stored, or that someone has lost, or a missing person, such as a child that has run away or a victim of crime, an accident or a disaster
from
- searching (seeking) for something or somebody, not knowing whether it exists, e.g., exploring for unknown regions, for oil, gas, coal, ores, water, etc., searching for a lover, searching for a text string in a document, or searching a person and his or her luggage.
The latter may be to determine whether they are carrying
- a weapon, including things that can be used as such or otherwise be dangerous, e.g. a glass bottle or a can (often not allowed at pop concerts, etc.)
- drugs
- something stolen
- something that can be used for escape (in a prison)
- other items for which taking along is forbidden, restricted, or taxed (e.g. at a border; also food and drinks at some amusement parks, to increase the sale)
It may involve passing the hands quickly over clothes and/or through pockets (frisking); also a sensor, X-rays etc. may be used.
A more thorough search requires undressing and involves inspecting body openings such as ears, mouth, anus, vagina. Usually this is carried out by an official of the same sex.
Also a building, car, computer, etc. can be searched. Often a search warrant is required.
Sometimes the law allows searching arbitrary people (people against whom there is no specific suspicion) in the street.
See also
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