What is chain of custody?

• A. A list of exhibits admitted in court
• B. A record showing who controlled a piece of evidence from the time it was found until it is presented in court
• C. The chain of custody is only for DNA
• D. The chain of responsibility for a judge

Answer: (B)

Chain of custody is the documented trail that shows every person who handled a piece of evidence from the moment it is found or collected until it is presented in court. It records who collected or received the item, when and where it was transferred, who had it at each step, and how it was stored or protected from tampering. This careful log helps prove the evidence’s integrity and authenticity, which is essential for it to be admissible and reliable in court. If the chain isn’t kept or can’t be shown, the evidence can be challenged or excluded because its reliability could be questioned.

It applies to all types of evidence, not just DNA, and covers both physical and digital items. The other ideas don’t fit because a chain of custody isn’t simply a list of exhibits admitted in court, isn’t limited to DNA, and isn’t about a judge’s personal responsibilities.