Chain Of Custody

Chain of custody is the documented and unbroken process that tracks the handling, control, transfer, analysis, and storage of evidence or materials from the moment they are collected until they are presented in court or reach their final destination. This process ensures the integrity, authenticity, and admissibility of the evidence by preventing contamination, tampering, or loss.

Key aspects of the chain of custody include:

• Documentation: Every step of evidence handling is recorded, including who collected it, when and where it was collected, how it was stored, and every person who subsequently handled it.
• Tracking: Evidence is often tagged with unique identifiers and securely stored to maintain a clear trail.
• Protection: Procedures are in place to prevent contamination or tampering, such as sealing evidence bags and using personal protective equipment.
• Legal importance: If the chain of custody is broken or incomplete, the evidence may be ruled inadmissible in court, meaning it cannot be used to prove guilt or innocence.

For example, a crime scene investigator finds a knife, photographs it in place, places it in a sealed, labeled evidence bag, and documents each person who handles it until it is presented in court.

Beyond criminal cases, chain of custody principles also apply in supply chains to track materials through sourcing, production, and delivery stages, ensuring transparency and authenticity of products.

In summary, the chain of custody is a critical procedural safeguard that establishes the reliability and legal validity of evidence or materials by maintaining a clear, documented history of their handling from origin to final use.