Utah Security Officer Practice Test

What best describes Chain of Custody

1. Destruction of evidence

2. Continuity of evidence

3. Storing of old evidence

4. A suspect taken into custody

The correct answer is: Continuity of evidence

Chain of Custody refers to the chronological documentation or paper trail that records the sequence of custody, control, transfer, analysis, and disposition of physical or electronic evidence. It is often used in law enforcement to ensure the integrity of the evidence, in this case, the "Continuity of evidence". The process involves keeping a detailed log showing who collected, handled, transferred, or analyzed the evidence during the investigation. This ensures that the evidence presented in the court has not been tampered with or altered and maintains its credibility. Continued custody of evidence makes it admissible in court and significantly increases the successful prosecution of perpetrators.