What is the primary purpose of performing a frisk of a person's clothing?

The primary purpose of performing a frisk of a person's clothing is to search for weapons. The frisk, often referred to as a pat-down, is a limited search conducted by law enforcement officers primarily for their own safety. During such a search, officers are looking to ensure that the individual does not possess any concealed weapons that could pose a threat to them or others.

The frisk is a precautionary measure grounded in the legal precedent established in the Terry v. Ohio case, which allows officers to stop and briefly detain a person if they have a reasonable suspicion that the individual is involved in criminal activity. If the officer then has a reasonable belief that the person is armed and dangerous, a frisk may be conducted to check for weapons. This action is not intended to be an extensive search for other items, such as illegal drugs or evidence for a case, although those may be discovered incidentally during the frisk.

Understanding the primary focus on weapons helps clarify the limitations and intentions behind the frisk, ensuring that officers conduct their duties with both safety and legality in mind.