Dow Chemical Co. v. United States
United States Supreme Court
476 U.S. 227 (1986)
Relevant factsFree
Law enforcement flew over Dow Chemical's (defendant) industrial complex and took aerial photographs without a warrant, capturing only outlines of the facility's structures and equipment. Dow argued the warrantless photography violated its Fourth Amendment rights and sought to exclude the photographs as evidence.
IssueFree
Whether the open areas of a large industrial plant complex are subject to warrantless aerial photography consistent with the Fourth Amendment.