What is the role of documentation in the chain of custody?

Documentation plays a crucial role in the chain of custody by ensuring the proper tracking of physical evidence from the time it is collected until it is presented in court. This process maintains the integrity of the evidence by detailing its handling, securing, and transfer among various parties. Accurate and thorough documentation helps establish an unbroken chain, which is vital for corroborating that the evidence has not been tampered with or altered in any way.

Properly maintained records provide a timeline of the evidence's whereabouts, who handled it, and under what conditions it was stored. This is critical for legal proceedings, as any break in the chain of custody could lead to challenges regarding the admissibility of the evidence in court. By fulfilling this role, documentation ensures that the evidence can be reliably linked to the crime being investigated and supports the overall judicial process.