What is required before you can search a suspect?

A search of a suspect is generally permissible when the individual is lawfully arrested. This principle stems from the legal doctrine known as "search incident to arrest." When an officer makes an arrest, they are allowed to search the person to ensure officer safety and to prevent the destruction of evidence. This is a crucial aspect of ensuring the arresting officer's safety and maintaining the integrity of the law enforcement process.

Searching a suspect without an arrest could violate their Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures. While consent or a search warrant may also allow for lawful searches, the key aspect here is that an arrest provides an immediate legal basis for conducting a search without additional requirements, as it implies a level of established suspicion that justifies the intrusion. This is why the answer focuses on the necessity of making an arrest prior to searching a suspect.