What must officers have to search a dwelling prior to securing it?

Officers must establish probable cause to search a dwelling prior to securing it because probable cause is the legal standard that justifies the belief that evidence related to a crime can be found in the place to be searched. This requirement is rooted in the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Having probable cause allows law enforcement to demonstrate to a court that there are sufficient facts or circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to believe that a crime has been committed and that evidence of that crime is likely present in the location where the search is to occur. It ensures that searches are conducted based on concrete information rather than mere suspicion, thereby upholding civil liberties and ensuring accountability in law enforcement actions.

The other options, such as case studies or a search history, do not provide the legal grounding necessary for conducting a search in this context, and possessing a warrant is essential for searches in many situations, but the question specifies searching before securing the dwelling, which underscores the initial need for probable cause to act on the situation promptly.