What is the "fruit of the poisonous tree" doctrine concerned with?

The "fruit of the poisonous tree" doctrine pertains specifically to evidence that is derived from an illegal search or seizure, meaning that if the initial evidence (the "poisonous tree") is obtained unlawfully, any additional evidence obtained as a result of that initial illegality (the "fruit") is also considered tainted and inadmissible in court. This doctrine is rooted in the idea that law enforcement should not benefit from wrongdoing; therefore, it acts as a deterrence against illegal practices when gathering evidence.

This principle ensures that the legal process maintains integrity by preventing the use of evidence that violates an individual's constitutional rights. Since the focus of this doctrine is on the inadmissibility of evidence obtained through illegal means, recognizing the direct connection between the unlawful act and subsequent evidence is key to understanding why this is the correct answer.