What is a fugitive warrant used for?

A fugitive warrant is specifically issued for the purpose of arresting someone based on a warrant that has been issued in another jurisdiction or by another authority. This type of warrant allows law enforcement in one area to apprehend a suspect who is wanted for a crime in a different area, often because the individual has fled to avoid prosecution or sentencing on that existing warrant.

In this context, the other options do not accurately define the specific use of a fugitive warrant. Gathering surveillance evidence relates to investigative techniques, which is not the function of a fugitive warrant. Arresting someone for a local misdemeanor pertains to local law enforcement processes, rather than the interstate or inter-jurisdictional focus of a fugitive warrant. Initiating an investigation on a suspect suggests the beginning of a process, while a fugitive warrant is aimed at apprehending an individual who is already known to be wanted, thus clearly defining its role in law enforcement.