What action signifies that evidence may be destroyed during an entry attempt?

The action that signifies that evidence may be destroyed during an entry attempt is the sounds of flight from the premises. This auditory cue often indicates that individuals inside the location are taking steps to evade law enforcement, which raises the concern that they may also be attempting to destroy or conceal evidence. Such sounds—like running footsteps or hurried movements—suggest urgency and a desire to escape, increasing the likelihood that any evidence relevant to an investigation could be rapidly altered or destroyed before law enforcement can secure the scene.

Conversely, silence from within the location may suggest that people are waiting or hiding, which could imply caution but does not necessarily indicate imminent destruction of evidence. Visible evidence through a window might provide observations about the scene but does not directly suggest immediate destruction of evidence occurring inside. The doorbell ringing just prior to entry typically implies a non-threatening interaction or awareness of intruding presence, rather than a sign of an intention to destroy evidence.