Which of the following is NOT a purpose of inventory searches?

The purpose of inventory searches primarily involves organizing and safeguarding personal property in the context of law enforcement. These searches are typically conducted when an individual is taken into custody, allowing officers to document and secure any belongings to prevent loss or damage.

Preventing hazardous materials from being stored serves to protect the safety of both officers and the public. Learning the identity of the arrestee can be important for record-keeping and ensuring proper protocol. Preventing lawsuits against officers can be considered a peripheral benefit, as thorough documentation during an inventory search helps establish that officers acted responsibly and followed procedures.

However, facilitating arrests and prosecutions is not a direct purpose of inventory searches. Inventory searches do not aim to uncover evidence for prosecutorial purposes, but rather to ensure the lawful handling of a person's belongings and to protect the interests of the police department. The focus is primarily on property management rather than gathering evidence related to a crime. This clarifies why this option does not align with the intended purposes of conducting inventory searches.