Body cavity search 1723031 213472259 2008-05-19T14:28:39Z Jeff Silvers 415302 /* Popular Culture */ Heading capitalization. A '''body cavity search''' is either a visual search or a manual internal inspection of [[Body cavity|body cavities]] such as for prohibited material ([[contraband]]), such as illegal drugs, money, or weapons. It is far more invasive than the standard [[strip search]] that is typically performed on individuals taken into custody, either upon police arrest or incarceration at a jail, [[prison]], or [[psychiatric hospital]]. Often the procedure is repeated when the person leaves the institution. Body cavity searches may also be conducted by the United States [[Customs and Border Patrol]] when they suspect [[Border search exception|international travelers]] of hiding contraband - such as drugs - in their alimentary canal. <ref><i>See [[United States v. Montoya de Hernandez]]</i>, 473 U.S. 531, 538 (1985)</ref> ==Visual vs. manual== Suspects and inmates can be highly creative in using their bodies to conceal contraband. For example, objects may be concealed by inserting them into the [[rectum]]. Illegal drugs can be placed in condoms and temporarily stored in the [[colon]]. Cylinders such as cigar tubes are used to hide money, intravenous syringes, and knives. Duplicate [[handcuff]] keys can be concealed in most body [[orifices]]. These goods are considered valuable inside a prison and can pose a security risk to staff and inmates at such facilities. Further, not all contraband flows into the prison. In a thorough ''visual body cavity'' search, a [[flashlight]] is used to illuminate body orifices, including [[nostril]]s, [[ear]]s, [[mouth]], [[penis]] (urethra and foreskin) or [[vagina]], and [[rectum]]. Generally, the detainee is required to manipulate these body parts so that they can be examined. During ''manual body cavity'' searches, body orifices are probed using fingers or instruments. Because of the risk of injury, most western authorities specify that these searches can only be done by medical professionals. Further, the circumstance in which these inspections may be done is often restricted. For example, they are done on individuals refusing to offer to consent to a visual body cavity search or in situations where there is strong evidence to suspect the presence of contraband. ==Legal standing == Inmates and human rights activists argue that body cavity searches are done not so much to stop the flow of contraband but rather to harass and humiliate detainees. A visual inspection of the rectum will not reveal objects concealed deeply inside. Likewise, it is possible to circumvent detection during manual body cavity searches. In some instances, suspects swallow packages of drugs protected by condoms and allow them to pass through their [[digestive tract]]. Only [[diagnostic imaging]] will reveal the concealed contraband. Because these searches are highly invasive and greatly compromise an individual’s right of privacy, the legality of visual and manual body cavity searches is frequently contested. In the [[United States]], [[Bell v. Wolfish]] is the benchmark case on this issue. In its judgment of the case, the [[Supreme Court of the United States|U.S. Supreme Court]] established a standard of reasonable grounds for performing cavity searches. Among these are security concerns at prisons. ==Popular culture== The body cavity search is frequently used as a [[joke]] in certain vulgar entertainments, due to its humiliating, uncomfortable, and invasive nature. Generally, it adds to the suffering of a [[comedic foil]]. It's generally not depicted explicitly, but implied by the donning of a lubricated glove by a searcher. It's similar to the use of the [[rectal exam]] in this regard. ==See also== * [[Strip search]] * [[Undress code]] * [[Balloon swallower]] * [[Border search exception]] == References == {{reflist}} * ''Bell v. Wolfish'', '''441''' U.S. 520, 559 (1979) [http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?navby=volpage&court=us&vol=441&page=558] * Gochnauer, Myron (1985). "Necessity and Prisoners' Rights.". ''New England Journal on Criminal and Civil Confinement'' '''10''', 27-43. * Kalinich, David B. & Stan Stojkovic. (1985). "Contraband: The Basis for Legitimate Power in a Prison Social System". ''Criminal Justice and Behavior'' '''12''', 435-451. * Lerner, Jimmy (2002). ''You Got Nothing Coming: Notes From a Prison Fish''. New York: Broadway Books. * Schwartz, Barry (1972). Deprivation of privacy as a 'functional prerequisite': The case of the prison". The Journal of Criminal Law, Criminology and Police Science '''63''' (2), 229-239. [[Category:Human rights abuses]] [[Category:Law enforcement techniques]] [[Category:Nudity]] [[de:Leibesvisitation]]