PLAIN-FEEL DOCTRINE

plain-feel doctrine. Criminal procedure. The principle that a police officer, while conducting a legal pat-down search, may seize any contraband that the officer can immediately and clearly identify, by touch but not by manipulation, as being illegal or incriminating. — Also termed plain-touch doctrine. [Cases: Searches and Seizures  47.1. C.J.S. Searches and Seizures §§ 66–67, 71–72.]

[Blacks Law 8th]