Which type of authorization allows for a search without a warrant?

Permissive authorization allows law enforcement officers to conduct a search without a warrant under specific circumstances. This type of authorization typically arises when a person voluntarily consents to the search, or when an exigent circumstance exists, which means that immediate action is needed to prevent evidence from being destroyed or to ensure public safety.

For instance, if an officer is in a situation where obtaining a warrant could lead to the loss of evidence or pose a risk to life, they can act without a warrant, provided they have the proper grounds and justification. This principle is vital in law enforcement as it enables officers to respond effectively in urgent situations.

The other choices do not represent scenarios where a search can be conducted without obtaining a warrant. Command authorization refers to specific directives from higher authority within law enforcement, an affidavit for search is a document that outlines the probable cause necessary to obtain a search warrant, and an evidence tag is simply a label used to document and secure collected evidence. Each of these plays a role in the legal processes surrounding searches and evidence collection but does not imply the absence of a warrant requirement in the same way permissive authorization does.