Chain of Custody Procedures

Chain of custody procedures refer to the steps taken to ensure that evidence is collected, handled, and stored securely to maintain its integrity. Each item of evidence must be documented, labeled, and tracked from the moment it is collected until it is presented in court. This process includes identifying who collected the evidence, how it was stored, and any individuals who accessed it. Proper chain of custody prevents contamination or tampering, ensuring that the evidence remains credible and can be reliably used during legal proceedings.