What is the Chain of custody and explain why the chain of custody is so important in Forensic Science.
The chain of custody is a documented record that details the chronological history of the handling, transfer, and storage of physical evidence in a criminal investigation. It includes information about who had possession of the evidence, when it was collected, where it was stored, and any changes in its custody.
The chain of custody is crucial in forensic science because it ensures the integrity and admissibility of evidence in court. By documenting every step in the handling of evidence, it helps to establish that the evidence is reliable and has not been tampered with or contaminated. This is essential in ensuring the accuracy and credibility of the forensic analysis and ultimately the outcome of the investigation.
If there are breaks in the chain of custody or if the integrity of the evidence is compromised in any way, it can weaken the prosecution's case and lead to the exclusion of evidence in court. Therefore, maintaining a secure and well-documented chain of custody is vital in forensic science to ensure the reliability and credibility of the evidence presented in legal proceedings.