Which ruling pertains to Mincey regarding the legitimacy of long warrantless searches in homicide investigations?

• A. Always permissible
• B. Constitutional in homicide investigations
• C. Unconstitutional
• D. Allowed with exigent circumstances

Answer: (C)

Mincey v. Arizona establishes that a long, warrantless search of a homicide scene is unconstitutional under the Fourth Amendment. The Court held that you can’t conduct extended, indiscriminate rummaging for evidence without either a valid warrant or a true exigent circumstance. In other words, police must obtain a warrant based on probable cause, or show a recognized exception exists before continuing a search—otherwise the evidence found during that prolonged search cannot be admitted in court. This ruling makes clear that in homicide investigations, prolonged warrantless searches without an exception are not allowed.