Etsintätila

Etsintätila is a Finnish term meaning "search state" or "search mode." It is formed from etsintä, meaning "search" or "investigation," and tila, meaning "state" or "mode." The term is used across several domains to denote a period or condition in which active searching is underway.

In computing and digital interfaces, etsintätila refers to the mode that a system or application enters when a user initiates a search. During etsintätila, the user can enter a query, and the system may adapt its interface—for example by highlighting the search field, providing real-time results, or changing available controls.

In law enforcement and public safety, etsintätila describes the operational state of a search for a missing person, suspect, or object. It encompasses planning, resource deployment, and coordination of search teams and procedures. The term appears in Finnish-language guidance and reporting, but it is not a fixed legal term.

Usage and synonyms: In everyday language, etsintätila can be replaced by etsintävaihe ("search phase") depending on context. The term is more common in Finnish than in other languages, and may appear in technical manuals, police documentation, or user interface text.

See also: etsintä, haku, search mode.