What describes chain of custody?

• A. Documentation or paper trail showing custody, control, transfer and analysis of everyone who comes in contact with the specimens
• B. A physical chain used to lock evidence
• C. A timeline for suspect questioning
• D. A list of officers on scene

Answer: (A)

Chain of custody is the documented record that shows the sequential custody, control, transfer, and analysis of evidence from the moment it’s collected to its presentation in court. It records who handled the evidence, when and where, and what was done to it, including packaging, seal integrity, transfers between officers or labs, storage locations, and any analyses performed. This continuous record is essential to prove the evidence’s integrity and prevent questions of tampering or substitution, making it admissible in court. The best description is a documentation trail showing custody, control, transfer, and analysis of everyone who comes in contact with the specimens. The other options describe a physical locking device, a questioning timeline, or a roster of officers, none of which define the documented continuity of evidence.