What is "chain of custody" in reference to evidence?

"Chain of custody" refers to the process of maintaining and documenting the handling of evidence from the moment it is collected until it is presented in court. This ensures that the evidence is properly stored, tracked, and that its integrity is preserved throughout the legal proceedings. It includes detailed records of who collected the evidence, how it was handled, where it was stored, and who accessed it, thus preventing any possibility of tampering, contamination, or loss.

Establishing a clear chain of custody is vital for the admissibility of evidence in court since it demonstrates that the evidence has been preserved in its original state. Any breaks in this chain can cast doubt on the reliability of the evidence, potentially affecting the outcome of the case.

Other options, such as a timeline of the crime or a list of witnesses interviewed, while potentially relevant to a case, do not specifically pertain to the concept of how evidence is collected, handled, and documented. Physical evidence collected at a scene is important, but without proper documentation of its custody, its value in legal proceedings may be compromised. Thus, the emphasis on the meticulous process of maintaining this documentation highlights the critical importance of the chain of custody in criminal justice.