Which doctrine is described by the phrase ‘plain feel’?

• A. Plain Feel Doctrine
• B. Stop and Frisk Doctrine
• C. Exclusionary Rule
• D. Fruit of the Poisonous Tree

Answer: (A)

The main concept is the plain feel doctrine: during a lawful stop and frisk, an officer may seize contraband if its incriminating nature is immediately apparent by touch. This is the tactile counterpart to plain view and relies on the officer’s protective pat-down being justified for safety. If the object isn’t clearly identified as contraband through the initial touch, the officer must not manipulate it to determine what it is or search further without probable cause or a warrant. This principle was clarified in cases like Minnesota v. Dickerson, which allows seizure of immediately recognizable contraband during a frisk but prohibits turning a quick feel into a full-blown search. The other options describe broader ideas in law enforcement and evidence rules, but they do not name the specific doctrine that explains why something can be seized from a frisk simply by how it feels.