Which factor does NOT allow an officer to seize evidence during a lawful search?

The reason that physical appearance does not allow an officer to seize evidence during a lawful search is that it does not constitute a legal basis for a search or seizure as understood under the Fourth Amendment and related law enforcement practices. While an officer may observe someone's physical appearance and potentially use that information to form reasonable suspicion or probable cause, it does not, by itself, provide the authority to conduct a search or to seize evidence.

The other factors—warrant, consent, and probable cause—are established legal criteria that justify the seizure of evidence. A warrant is a legal document issued by a judge that authorizes law enforcement to search a specific location for specific items. Consent refers to the voluntary agreement given by an individual allowing law enforcement to conduct a search, thereby bypassing the need for a warrant or probable cause. Probable cause is the reasonable belief that a crime has been, or will be, committed and that evidence related to that crime is present in a specific location. These factors are founded in constitutional protections against unreasonable searches and are essential in determining the legality of a search and seizure.