Under what condition can an inventory search be conducted?

An inventory search can be conducted when a vehicle is legally impounded. This means that law enforcement has taken custody of the vehicle in accordance with established legal procedures, such as it being involved in a crime, left abandoned, or seized for another lawful reason. The purpose of an inventory search is to create a detailed list of the contents of the vehicle, which protects the owner's property and the law enforcement agency from claims of theft or damage.

In the context of conducting an inventory search, the legality of the impoundment is critical. It provides the law enforcement agency with the authority to perform a thorough search without needing a warrant or probable cause, as the search is part of the standard procedure following the lawful impoundment of the vehicle. This practice is grounded in the necessity to safeguard both the property and the safety of officers.

The other options revolve around conditions that either do not directly relate to inventory searches or imply a level of consent or prior authorization that is not necessary when it comes to legally impounding a vehicle.