Which term refers to a search conducted based on decreasing levels of consent?

The term "Implied consent" refers to a type of consent that is not expressly granted but inferred from a person's actions, the situation, or the context. In law enforcement and related fields, it often signifies a scenario where an individual is presumed to have consented to a search based on their behavior or circumstances, even without verbal or written agreement.

Implied consent is particularly relevant in situations where an individual might not overtly object to a search or might be in a position where their consent is assumed due to the nature of the interaction with law enforcement. This can also reflect a spectrum where the consent is diminishing, denoting that there is a range of agreement based on the context—implying that the less explicit a person's consent is, the lower the level of their agreement.

In contrast, explicit consent requires a clear, affirmative agreement, while voluntary consent is given freely and without any pressure. Coerced consent occurs when consent is obtained through pressure or threats, which is not reflective of true agreement. Hence, the concept of implied consent best aligns with the idea of decreasing levels of consent in the context of searches.