What is the correct procedure for the chain of custody documentation?
Asked by: Vesta Rempel | Last update: January 31, 2026Score: 4.2/5 (27 votes)
The correct chain of custody (CoC) procedure involves meticulous, chronological documentation of evidence from collection to analysis, ensuring integrity by recording every person who handles it (initials, date, time) and sealing it in tamper-evident packaging, with a unique ID, to prove its authenticity, preventing tampering, and maintaining legal admissibility in court. Key steps include detailed collection (who, what, when, where, how), secure packaging (seals, unique IDs), secure transport, secure storage (locked, restricted access), and thorough documentation of all transfers and analyses.
How to document chain of custody?
Properly filled out chain of custodies should include: sample ID, location of source, date and time collected, date and time received at the lab, sample preservation, analysis required, name of collector, pertinent field data, names of those who had custody of the sample, and reporting/billing contacts.
How does one document chain of custody?
Each time the charge of evidence is changed, the chain of custody form requires an entry of signature, date, and time. A sample shall be deemed to be in custody if it is in the authorized custodian's actual physical possession in a secured place without access to unauthorized personnel or any opportunity for tampering.
What are the steps of the chain of custody?
The chain of custody must be unbroken in order for the evidence to be considered reliable. The steps of this consist of four key parts: collection, preservation, transportation, and analysis.
What is the process of the 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.
What Is A Chain Of Custody Form? - CountyOffice.org
What is the chain of custody rule?
“Chain of Custody” means the duly recorded authorized movements and custody of seized drugs or controlled chemicals or plant sources of dangerous drugs or laboratory equipment of each stage, from the time of seizure/confiscation to receipt in the forensic laboratory to safekeeping to presentation in court for ...
What procedures would you use to maintain chain of custody?
Throughout the collection, handling, testing and storage procedures, strict protocols must be followed to ensure that the evidence remains verifiable in terms of authenticity and integrity. Each person that handles the evidence must be identified, and all periods of custody must be properly accounted for and 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.
How do you prove chain of custody?
Common Documentation of the Evidence Chain
But generally speaking, documentation should include the agency involved, a case number, description of the evidence, who collected the evidence, what collection procedures were used, who transported the evidence and how, and where and how the evidence is stored.
What are the preferred methods for chain of custody documentation?
Best practices for chain-of-custody documentation
- Use a Standardized Process. ...
- Record Every Transfer & Transaction. ...
- Use Digital Documentation & Tracking Software. ...
- Maintain Security & Access Control. ...
- Include Supporting Documentation. ...
- Audit & Review CoC Records Regularly. ...
- Train Employees on CoC Procedures.
What is the chain of evidence documentation?
Note: (C.F.D.) Definitions: A process and record that shows who obtained the evidence; where and when the evidence was obtained; who secured the evidence; and who had control or possession of the evidence.
What is a chain of custody certificate?
FSC chain of custody certification provides a credible assurance that products which are sold with an FSC claim originate from well-managed forests, controlled sources, or reclaimed materials.
What is a chain of custody sample?
Chain of custody in the lab refers to the documented process of tracking the handling, storage, and transfer of samples or data throughout their lifecycle.
What information should be filled out in step 4 of the chain of custody?
Collector completes Collector chain of custody in STEP 4 on Copy 1 (signature, printed name, date, time of collection, and name of delivery service) and places the sealed specimen bottle(s) in a leak-proof plastic bag.
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.
How to investigate step by step?
6 Steps of an Incident Investigation Process
- Secure the Scene. ...
- Plan the Investigation. ...
- Collect All Relevant Information. ...
- Analyze Collected Data to Find the Root Cause. ...
- Implement Corrective Actions. ...
- Document and Share the Results.
What are the 7 stages of a case?
The 7 stages of a criminal trial generally include Jury Selection, Opening Statements, Prosecution's Case (witnesses/evidence), Defense's Case, followed by Closing Arguments, Jury Instructions, and finally, the Verdict and potential Sentencing, though pre-trial phases like investigation, arraignment, and discovery also precede these. These steps guide the presentation of evidence and arguments, culminating in a decision by the jury or judge.
What are the five procedures for collecting evidence?
The five steps recommended by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for collecting and preserving evidence are (1) obtaining it legally; (2) describing the evidence in detailed notes; (3) identifying it accurately and positively; (4) packaging it properly for identification, storage, or shipment to the laboratory; and (5 ...
How is chain of custody documented?
Documentation should include the conditions under which the evidence is gathered, the identity of all evidence handlers, duration of evidence custody, security conditions while handling or storing the evidence, and the manner in which evidence is transferred to subsequent custodians each time a transfer occurs (along ...
What are the key steps in 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.
- Collecting Evidence. ...
- Documenting Evidence. ...
- Storing the Evidence. ...
- Moving the Evidence. ...
- Analyzing the Evidence. ...
- Presenting the Evidence. ...
- Analyzing DNA.
What should be on a chain of custody form?
The chain of custody documentation provides information regarding the collection, transportation, storage, and general handling of the electronic evidence. A typical chain of custody document may include: Date and time of collection. Location of collection.
When would a chain of custody form be used?
Chain of custody is a process used for toxicology testing when the results might have legal implications for the individual tested. Clinical toxicology testing is used for routine medical care.
How to prove chain of custody?
In order to show a proper chain of custody, the record must show each link and also the following with regard to each link's possession of the item: '(1) [the] receipt of the item; (2) [the] ultimate disposition of the item, i.e., transfer, destruction, or retention; and (3) [the] safeguarding and handling of the item ...
What breaks the chain of custody?
Some of the most common examples of breaches or breaks in a chain of custody include the following: A law enforcement officer doesn't bring the evidence directly to police headquarters for appropriate logging and storage. The evidence is mislabeled at a lab. An unauthorized person checks out the evidence from storage.