Bakersfield City School District
1300 Baker Street
Bakersfield, CA 93305
STUDENT SEARCH CHECKLIST
Date:
School Official Completing:
Position:
Other Staff Involved:
The following questions should be reviewed prior to initiating a student search. Some questions may not be
applicable based on individual circumstances.
Pre-Search Considerations
Nexus Connection
Is there reasonable suspicion a discipline code or law been violated? (See
Checklist #2)
Has a specific student or location to be searched been identified?
Can the contraband be described?
Where to Search for Contraband
Does the student have a desk or locker?
If the student has a desk or locker, is it shared with others?
Does the student have a storage area in other classrooms?
Have areas/locations been identified for search where the contraband may be
located?
Have the areas identified as “school owned property” already been searched?
Is there a need to establish surveillance on the places to be searched?
Is it reasonable to conceal the contraband in the areas identified to be searched?
Can the contraband be consumed and is it harmful?
Can the contraband be concealed under clothing?
Yes
No
N/A
Student Search Checklist (Continued)
Page 2
Pre-Search Considerations
Safety Issues
Is there an imminent safety issue?
Are weapons or drugs involved?
Is the student a flight risk?
Is there an opportunity for others to alert the student?
Should law enforcement be contacted?
Does the student have a probation officer?
Has the student been searched before and how did he react?
Contacts and Interviews
Does the student have a disability?
Has staff had extensive contact with the student being interviewed?
Has a staff member having rapport with the student been identified?
Are there siblings or other related students at school?
Logistics of Student Search
Has a location been identified where the student will be searched?
Does the location provide privacy during the search of the student?
Has sufficient staff been identified to escort the student?
Have the staff members been identified who will conduct the search?
Have the identified staff members been trained in search techniques and
procedures?
Yes
No
N/A
Student Search Checklist (Continued)
Reasonable Suspicion Considerations
Information Sources
Have eyewitnesses identified the student to be searched?
Have written statements been taken from eyewitnesses?
Does second-hand information identify the student as suspect?
Are witnesses credible?
Can someone put the suspect within the school’s jurisdiction?
Has information been provided anonymously identifying the student?
Is the anonymous information consistent with known facts?
Indicators & Observations
Did the student have access to the area or contraband in question?
Do cameras monitor the area where the incident may have occurred?
Was the student seen in possession of the contraband?
Are there other written documents such as notes that implicate the student?
Individual Student Actions
Is the student’s physical appearance consistent with the known facts?
Did the student attempt to avoid being seen or observed?
Did the student flee or resist detention?
Was the student untruthful with known facts when interviewed?
Is the student part of a group involved with similar behaviors?
Does the student have a criminal/juvenile/discipline record related to the
behavior?
Has the student admitted to the violation?
Has the student provided a written admission?
Page 3
Yes
No
N/A
Student Search Checklist (Continued)
Reasonable Suspicion Considerations
Page 4
Yes
No
N/A
Yes
No
N/A
Individual Student Actions (Continued)
Is the student evasive or nervous when questioned?
Did the student attempt to conceal something when confronted?
Search Logistics Considerations
Search Considerations
Have items such as coat, backpack, etc., been removed from the student?
Have the student’s personal possessions been searched?
Have all containers within the scope of search been opened?
If the contraband could be stored in the student’s billfold/purse, has it been
searched?
If the contraband may be stored in a book, have the books been searched
including cover/sleeves?
Have coats and other outer garments been searched?
Have sleeves/linings/collars been searched for pockets/pouches?
Have socks and shoes been removed?
Have soles of the feet and inside of the feet also been searched?
Supplies and Aids
Are latex gloves worn by those conducting the search?
Are evidence containers available?
Search Procedures
Has the student been asked about possession of contraband?
Have items been moved that may be readily accessible to the student and used as
a weapon?
Has the student been asked about possession of prohibited contrabands?
Have behavioral expectations been explained to the student?
Has the student been under constant observation?
Is a staff member observing the student’s body language?
Student Search Checklist (Continued)
Search Logistics Considerations
Page 5
Yes
No
N/A
Yes
No
N/A
Search Procedures (Continued)
Are the hands of the student visible during the search?
Is the search being initiated where the contraband was most likely to be found?
Is staff conducting the search the same gender as the student?
Is someone assigned to script admissions/statements made by the student during
search?
Is the student being observed for behavioral changes?
Post Search Considerations
Evidence Issues
Was an inventory list made of items determined to be contraband to include a
physical description (e.g., weight, length)?
Were illegal items photographed and turned over to law enforcement?
Was the contraband confiscated, photographed, and kept placed in a secure area?
Were items found that belong to others?
Did the student deny ownership or knowledge of the contrabands found?
Did items/contraband found lead to additional searches?
Has someone been designated to write the facts of the search?
Were parents/guardians notified that a search was conducted?
Did the student make any statement or admission during the search? If so, was it
recorded?
Were any items damaged during the search?
Was the student cooperative?
Were names/positions of those present during the search recorded?
Has the student been asked about possession of prohibited contrabands?
Have items been moved that may be readily accessible to the student and used as
a weapon?