Which documentation is critical for establishing a clear chain of custody?

Establishing a clear chain of custody is essential in law enforcement to ensure that evidence is handled, collected, and processed in a manner that maintains its integrity and admissibility in court. Evidence handling logs are the primary means by which this chain of custody is documented. These logs provide a detailed record of who collected, handled, transported, and stored the evidence, including the dates and times of each transfer. This documentation is crucial in preventing tampering, contamination, or loss of evidence, which could otherwise undermine a case.

While case reports and investigative interviews may support the overall context and narrative of an investigation, they do not serve to trace the physical handling of evidence. Public statements, on the other hand, relate to communication with the public or media and do not contribute to establishing a chain of custody. Thus, the evidence handling log is the most critical documentation for maintaining a clear and accountable chain of custody for all evidence involved in a case.