What does the concept of chain of custody in forensic investigations refer to?

The concept of chain of custody refers to the systematic process of maintaining and documenting the handling of evidence to ensure its integrity throughout a forensic investigation. This process is critical because it establishes a clear and traceable path for evidence from the moment it is collected, through analysis, and ultimately to its presentation in court.

Maintaining a proper chain of custody ensures that the evidence remains unchanged and untainted, which is essential for its acceptance in legal proceedings. This involves meticulous record-keeping for each person who handles the evidence, along with a detailed log of when and how the evidence was collected, stored, and transferred.

By adhering to the chain of custody protocol, forensic investigators can instill confidence in the validity of the evidence, thereby supporting the investigative process and the judicial system. In contrast, evidence that cannot be accounted for clearly might be deemed inadmissible in court, compromising the integrity of the investigation.