Opinion ID: 1198943
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: The information contained in the affidavit for search warrant provided a substantial basis for a finding of probable cause.

Text: Bolin argues Det. Morgan's July 15, 1995 affidavit for search warrant did not provide a sufficient basis for probable cause which would support the requested execution of a serology kit. While Det. Morgan's affidavit for search warrant indicated that a homicide had been committed, Bolin argues that there were no facts to substantiate that a sexual assault had occurred which justified the seizure of blood, saliva, and samples of Bolin's head and pubic hair. In his application and affidavit for search warrant, Det. Morgan recounted Sirvaag's entire account of what transpired when Sirvaag arrived at the construction site on the morning of Ricks' murder. In addition to Sirvaag's account, Det. Morgan included the details of his interview with Bolin wherein Bolin could not substantiate his whereabouts on the night of July 14, and the fact that Bolin told police that on that night he was dressed in a white T-shirt, brown shorts, and sandals, although this directly contradicted his appearance as depicted on the B & R Video surveillance camera. Further, because of the extensive amount of blood at the crime scene, Det. Morgan indicated a need to execute a serology kit on Bolin in order to determine whether any blood on the victim or other trace evidence found at the crime scene, such as hair, matched Bolin's. In Wright v. State, 112 Nev. 391, 396, 916 P.2d 146, 149 (1996) (quoting Keesee v. State, 110 Nev. 997, 1002, 879 P.2d 63, 66 (1994)), we reiterated that on appeal, the proper standard of review is `whether the evidence viewed as a whole provided a substantial basis for the magistrate's finding of probable cause.' Based on the totality of the evidence, we conclude that the information contained in the affidavit for search warrant provided a substantial basis for a finding of probable cause. Consequently, we conclude that the seizure of Bolin's blood, saliva, and hair samples was constitutionally valid.