Supreme Court: Thermal Imaging Constitutes a Search
The Supreme Court ruled today that police use of a thermal image device constitutes a search under the Fourth Amendment. In Kyllo v. United States, police used a heat-sensing device to determine that a resident was using high-power lamps to grow marijuana. Kyllo attempted to exclude evidence inferred from the use of the imaging device by arguing that use of the device constituted a warrantless search. The Court�s decision will require police to obtain a warrant before employing thermal imaging devices in the future.Kyllo v. United States, US Supreme Court Web Site.
Court Rules on Heat-Sensor Searches, Washington Post (AP), June 11, 2001.
Can't Scan Without a Warrant, Wired, June 12, 2001.
Supreme Court Bars High-Tech Snooping, New York Times, June 12, 2001 (registration required).
