What does the principle of no manipulation of items refer to during a Terry frisk?

The principle of no manipulation of items during a Terry frisk means that officers should not touch items inside a person's pockets or bags in an effort to check for weapons. The purpose of a Terry frisk is to ensure the officer's safety by determining if a person might be armed, while minimally impeding the individual's Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches.

This principle is based on the understanding that a pat-down should only focus on the exterior of clothing to ascertain the presence of a weapon without further invasive actions, such as reaching into pockets or manipulating any items found inside. By adhering to this principle, officers respect the privacy of the individual and limit their search to what is necessary for safety, thereby upholding constitutional protections.