What is the primary purpose of the chain of custody?

The primary purpose of the chain of custody is to ensure that evidence is not tampered with. This process involves a detailed and documented trail of all individuals who handled the evidence, where it has been stored, and any transfers it underwent. Maintaining a proper chain of custody is crucial in legal contexts because it establishes the integrity of evidence. If evidence can be shown to have been handled and stored correctly, it reinforces its reliability in investigations and potential court proceedings. Without a solid chain of custody, the evidence's validity may be challenged, which could significantly impact a case.

While securely storing evidence and authenticating trial exhibits are important, these actions fall under broader categories of evidence management and presentation rather than being the fundamental purpose of the chain of custody itself. Determining the legality of evidence, while a crucial aspect of legal proceedings, is distinct from the operational processes used to maintain someone’s continuity and integrity in evidence handling.