Watch the video: Oldschool method – why US cops touch the rear of the vehicle during a traffic stop.
It’s a move that’s easy to overlook.
US police officers touch the rear of the stopped car with their bare hands during a traffic stop.
This habit is standard practice among many US law enforcement officials, and it serves a clear purpose.
The officer leaves one or more fingerprints.
Evidence that he had contact with the vehicle.
Should the driver injure or kill the police officer, the imprint serves as a clue that can help his colleagues with the investigation.
US police cars are now equipped with dashcams that document traffic control – and make this behavior superfluous.
But the method requires so little effort that it continues to be used.