What is chain of custody?

• A. The location where evidence was found.
• B. The brand of equipment used.
• C. The age of the evidence.
• D. Documentation showing who handled evidence and when.

Answer: (C)

Chain of custody is the documented history of an evidence item as it moves from collection to presentation in court. It records who handled the item, when they handled it, and what was done to it at every step, plus how it was stored and protected from contamination. This documented trail is crucial because it shows the evidence has remained intact and untampered with, supporting its credibility in legal proceedings. If the custody log is missing or inaccurate, the integrity of the evidence can be questioned, potentially affecting its admissibility. It’s not about where the item was found, the brand of equipment used, or how old the evidence is—the essence is the traceable record of possession and handling over time. Therefore, the correct description is the documentation showing who handled evidence and when.