Which practice best preserves the chain of custody for evidence?

• A. Leave evidence unattended until trial.
• B. Document transfers and secure storage to prevent contamination.
• C. Alter labels to correct mistakes.
• D. Only document evidence at the time of disposal.

Answer: (B)

Preserving the chain of custody means keeping a clear, unbroken record of every person who handles the evidence and every change in its storage or location. The best practice is to document transfers and secure storage to prevent contamination because it creates an ongoing, traceable trail from collection to court. This includes sealing items, labeling them accurately, signing for possession with date and time, and storing them in a controlled, restricted area. When these steps are followed, the evidence remains intact, tamper-evident, and legally admissible.

Leaving evidence unattended breaks the continuous record and allows tampering or loss to occur. Altering labels to fix mistakes is a form of manipulation that undermines trust in the evidence. Documenting only at disposal omits all the important custody steps in between, leaving gaps that can cast doubt on the evidence’s integrity.