Which action by an officer could invalidate consent to search?

In the context of search and seizure law, consent to search must be given freely and voluntarily. When an officer uses force or threats, it undermines the nature of voluntary consent. The law establishes that consent must be obtained without coercion for it to be legitimate. If an individual feels threatened or coerced, even if the officer does not physically harm them, their consent can be considered invalid. This is crucial for upholding individuals' rights under the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. Voluntary consent should reflect a person's free will, and any indication of pressure, intimidation, or coercive tactics negates that presence of free will, rendering the consent invalid. Thus, using force or threats fundamentally violates the principle that consent must be given freely.