55. chain of custody

• What is the chain of custody?

  • Chain of custody refers to knowing where the evidence is at all times

  • Knowing who possessed the evidence, when they received it and from whom, and when they passed it on someone else and to whom.

  • The chain of custody can show that the evidence was always in possession of trusted parties.

  • The chain of custody may identify times when the whereabouts of the evidence cannot be accounted for...

    ...in a latter instance, an entire case can be at risk because it will be impossible to prove that no one tampered with the evidence.