What is the purpose of chain of custody in handling evidence?

• A. It determines the final verdict at trial.
• B. It documents who handled the evidence, when, where, and how it was stored or transferred.
• C. It only applies to digital evidence.
• D. It records the results of forensic tests.

Answer: (B)

Maintaining an unbroken chain of custody means keeping a documented, chronological record of every person who handled the evidence, plus details of when, where, and how it was stored or transferred. This record is essential for establishing the evidence's integrity and admissibility in court, because it shows the item has not been altered or substituted since collection. The chain of custody covers how the evidence is packaged, sealed, logged, and safeguarded, and it travels with the item as it moves through the investigation. It applies to all types of evidence, not just digital, and it does not record the results of forensic tests—that information is stored separately as analysis findings. The custody record’s purpose is to support trust in the evidence by proving its path from collection to presentation.