A hard object suspected to be a knife found during a lawful stop but turns out to be cocaine is considered what?

The object in question, initially suspected to be a knife but later confirmed to be cocaine, is considered evidence that is admissible due to the circumstances surrounding its discovery. During a lawful stop, if an officer observes an object that raises suspicion and subsequently investigates further, any evidence uncovered as a result of that investigation can typically be admitted in court.

In this case, the officer had a lawful basis for the stop and the subsequent discovery of the object. Since the cocaine was found as part of a legally conducted search, it meets the criteria for admissibility in legal proceedings. This is rooted in the principle that evidence obtained through lawful means, even if it turns out to be different than what was initially suspected, can still be relevant to a criminal case. The cocaine itself serves as significant evidence related to drug offenses, thereby justifying its use in court and maintaining its admissibility.