What does a "frisk" entail in the context of security checks?

A "frisk" in the context of security checks refers to a quick and limited pat-down of an individual’s outer clothing primarily to check for weapons or dangerous items. This procedure allows security personnel to assess immediate threats without conducting an extensive search of personal belongings or invasive physical searching.

The objective of a frisk is to ensure the safety of both the individual being checked and those around them, making it a crucial aspect of security protocols. The focus remains on the exterior of the clothing, as it is designed to be a brief and unobtrusive check that respects personal privacy while still maintaining security standards.

The other options, while related to security or law enforcement, do not accurately describe the nature of a frisk. A thorough search of personal belongings, for example, is more intrusive and generally requires a different legal basis or reason. Seizing items for evidence requires probable cause and is part of a more extensive legal procedure. Applying handcuffs indicates a level of restraint that is not part of a standard frisk, which is meant solely for checking for weapons without enforcing physical control over a person.