Don't believe the sear is a safety factor for SV and done for flavor only. Last one I ran I didn't sear at all and was still tasty but I injected. I don't see a clear consensus on the sear, some do first, some after, some both times. Our local famous roast beef is a mild take on it and no sear. I am dead set on replicating it and SV has got me pretty close.
I read somewhere that some do prior to SV for killing surface bacteria.
However I usually sear after, for Appearance. And sometimes when it's just Me & Mrs Bear, I don't sear at all, because we don't care what the surface looks like, when it's sliced Thin.
Just My 2 Piasters,
Bear