Chain of Custody
Chain of custody documents who handled evidence and when, to prove integrity.
Updated: 2026-03-05
Definition
Chain of custody is a documented record tracking evidence handling from collection to storage to analysis.
It helps prove evidence integrity and reduces the risk of tampering claims.
Key points
- Document every transfer and access
- Use sealed storage and hashes where possible
- Critical for investigations and audits
Common mistakes
- Missing logs of evidence transfers (gaps).
- Poor labeling/storage leading to contamination.
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