Legal Definitions - mail cover

A mail cover is a process used by the U.S. Postal Service to provide information to a government agency about the outside of an envelope or package. This information can include the postmark, return address, and other details that can help the agency locate a fugitive, identify a co-conspirator, or gather evidence for a crime.

• If the FBI is investigating a drug trafficking ring, they may request a mail cover to track the packages being sent to and from the suspects.
• A mail cover could also be used to locate a missing person by tracking their mail and determining their current location.

These examples illustrate how a mail cover can be used to gather information that is crucial to solving a crime or locating a person of interest. By providing details about the outside of an envelope or package, law enforcement agencies can use this information to build a case and bring criminals to justice.