In forensic investigations, what is the purpose of chain of custody?

The purpose of chain of custody in forensic investigations is to track the handling of evidence from the moment it is collected until it is presented in court. This process is vital to maintaining the integrity and authenticity of the evidence. Each person who handles the evidence must sign it in and out, documenting who had possession of the evidence and when. This documentation ensures that the evidence can be accounted for at every stage and that it has not been altered, tampered with, or contaminated in any way.

The chain of custody is crucial for legal proceedings because it helps establish that the evidence presented in court is the same as what was collected at the crime scene. Any gaps or breaks in the chain can lead to challenges regarding the evidence’s validity and potentially compromise the case. Thus, the chain of custody serves as both a procedural safeguard and a legal necessity in the handling of evidence.