What did the ruling in Parcel and Mail Sniffs state regarding random sniffing?

The ruling in Parcel and Mail Sniffs established that sniffing without detaining an item does not constitute a search under the Fourth Amendment. This means that law enforcement can use trained dogs to sniff packages or luggage in public areas without needing a warrant or implying a search has occurred. The rationale is that a canine's olfactory action is not considered intrusive since it does not infringe on an individual’s reasonable expectation of privacy when the item is not physically searched or seized.

This precedent is important in distinguishing between a search, which requires probable cause or a warrant, and the less invasive action of a dog sniffing, which is seen merely as gathering information without physical interference with the property or person involved. Understanding this distinction is crucial in the context of legal searches and the implications for privacy rights.