What are the key steps in chain of custody?

Asked by: Yasmin Bahringer  |  Last update: February 4, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (12 votes)

The key steps in chain of custody involve meticulous documentation and secure handling of evidence from collection to court, including collection & initial documentation (who, what, when, where, how), secure packaging & labeling, controlled transportation, secure storage in a controlled environment, meticulous tracking & documentation (every transfer, signature, purpose), and final presentation in court, ensuring evidence integrity by preventing tampering or contamination at every stage to maintain its legal admissibility.

What are the steps in the chain of custody?

The chain of custody involves several crucial steps to ensure evidence is accurately tracked from the moment it is collected until it is presented in court.

  1. Collecting Evidence. ...
  2. Documenting Evidence. ...
  3. Storing the Evidence. ...
  4. Moving the Evidence. ...
  5. Analyzing the Evidence. ...
  6. Presenting the Evidence. ...
  7. Analyzing DNA.

What key information must be included in a chain of custody form?

The chain of custody form shall at least include the following information:

  • Unique identifier.
  • Name and signature of the sample collector.
  • Official address and contact number.
  • Name of the recipient.
  • Laboratory's address.
  • Details of each sample, including:
  • Unique identifier and matrix.

What are the three requirements for maintaining chain of custody?

There are three main aspects to a chain of custody: control, continuity, and documentation.

  • Control. This aspect refers to maintaining physical control over the evidence presented at all times.
  • Continuity. This refers to keeping track of who had access to the evidence and when the access was granted.
  • Documentation.

What are the elements in the chain of custody?

Chain of custody documentation must include the identity of all handlers, dates and times of all transfers, locations where evidence was stored, descriptions of evidence handling procedures, and any analysis or testing performed. Each entry requires proper authentication through signatures or digital verification.

What Is Chain Of Custody? - First Response Medicine

38 related questions found

What are the principles of chain of custody?

The chain of custody is a recorded means of verifying where the evidence has travelled and who handled it before the trial. The reason for establishing a chain of custody is to prevent substitution of, tampering with, mistaking the identity of, damaging, altering, contaminating, misplacing or falsifying the evidence.

What are the four links in the chain of custody?

Thus, the links in the chain of custody that must be established are: (1) the seizure and marking, if practicable, of the illegal drug recovered from the accused by the apprehending officer; (2) the turnover of the seized illegal drug by the apprehending officer to the investigating officer; (3) the turnover of the ...

What breaks chain of custody?

Improper handling – for example, if an officer handles evidence without clean, unused gloves. Improper storage – for example, if evidence isn't placed in an approved, sealed, tamper-proof bag. Mislabeling or lack of labeling – for example, if the location where the evidence was found isn't properly recorded.

What are the 7 steps of investigation?

Find out how these steps apply to any investigation.

  • Identify Scene Dimensions. Locate the focal point of the scene. ...
  • Establish Security. Tape around the perimeter. ...
  • Create a Plan & Communicate. ...
  • Conduct Primary Survey. ...
  • Document and Process Scene. ...
  • Conduct Secondary Survey. ...
  • Record and Preserve Evidence.

What is the correct procedure for the chain of custody documentation?

It is documented by photographing it as it was found and then placed in a labeled and sealed evidence bag by a CSI wearing PPE. It is safely analyzed and stored, with every person who handles it being documented before it is brought before the court.

What is the chain of custody rule?

The chain of custody requires that from the moment the evidence is collected, every transfer of evidence from person to person be documented and that it be provable that nobody else could have accessed that evidence. It is best to keep the number of transfers as low as possible.

Who is responsible for chain of custody?

Law enforcement officers and other investigators are responsible for establishing the chain of custody reports and handling digital evidence properly by following rules and regulations concerning the admissibility of evidence in court.

What is a chain of custody model?

A chain of custody in the supply chain, is a documented account of the people or entities that handle a product (and its constituent parts or ingredients), from its journey from raw material to the end customer.

What are chain of custody documents?

Chain of custody is defined as the chronological documentation or paper trail that records the sequence of custody, control, transfer, analysis, and disposition of evidence.

What is the chain of custody standard?

The Chain of Custody Standard provides assurance that all seafood sold with the blue MSC label comes from a fishery that has been certified as sustainable.

What are the 7 stages of a case?

The stages of a civil case generally follow 7 general stages.

  • Step 1: Seek Legal Counsel. ...
  • Step 2: File a Complaint. ...
  • Step 3: Prepare Your Civil Lawsuit. ...
  • Step 4: Settle Differences. ...
  • Step 5: Go to Trial. ...
  • Step 6: Receive Your Verdict. ...
  • Step 7: Appeal Decisions in Appellate Court. ...
  • Each Step Counts in Civil Cases.

What are the 5 stages of the investigative cycle?

The key stages of the intelligence cycle typically include:

  • Planning and direction.
  • Collection.
  • Processing.
  • Analysis and evaluation.
  • Dissemination.

What are the 7 S's?

The 7 S's are structure, strategy, systems, skills, style, staff and shared values.

What is the biggest mistake in custody battle?

What is the Biggest Mistake in a Custody Battle? In a custody dispute, seeking to alienate the children from the other parent is the worst mistake a parent can make. The court's primary concern when deciding custody is determining what is in the children's best interests. Never will that include parental alienation.

What exactly is chain of custody?

Definitions: A process that tracks the movement of evidence through its collection, safeguarding, and analysis lifecycle by documenting each person who handled the evidence, the date/time it was collected or transferred, and the purpose for the transfer.

How to maintain chain of custody?

Maintaining a proper chain of custody involves several key steps:

  1. Collection: Documenting the initial acquisition of evidence, including the date, time, and method of collection.
  2. Documentation: Keeping detailed records of who handled the evidence, the purpose of handling it, and any changes made.

What is the best evidence for child custody?

Evidence of Parental Involvement

Some ways to do this might include presenting school records, medical records, or testimony from neighbors, coaches, or friends and family. One of the big points here is to prove that you know how to prioritize your child's needs over your own personal desires and convenience.

What is the first link in the chain of custody?

The very first link in the chain of custody is the investigator, officer, or detective who takes custody of the evi- dence at the scene of the crime or search warrant, and who then carefully documents its position, collection, and handling.

How to write a chain of custody form?

A typical chain of custody document may include:

  1. Date and time of collection.
  2. Location of collection.
  3. Name of investigator(s)
  4. Name or owner of the media or computer.
  5. Reason for collection.
  6. Matter name or case number.
  7. Type of media.
  8. Serial number of media if available.