One of the exceptions to the warrant requirement under the Fourth Amendment is the inventory search
An inventory search is a warrantless search of a lawfully impounded vehicle conducted by the police. The purpose of an inventory search is not to look for evidence of a crime. It’s for the police to determine the contents of a vehicle in order to fulfill a variety of administrative functions, such as safeguarding private property.
Thus, failing to invite defendant to remove personal items from an impounded vehicle renders a subsequent inventory search unlawful.
State v. Fulmer 366 Or 224 (March 5, 2020)