Which practice helps preserve evidence integrity and admissibility?

• A. Documentation of everyone who handled evidence from collection through courtroom presentation.
• B. Storing evidence in an unlocked cabinet.
• C. Allowing only a single officer to handle all evidence with no chain-of-custody log.
• D. Destroying original notes after trial.

Answer: (A)

Maintaining evidence integrity relies on a documented chain of custody that records every person who handles the evidence from collection through courtroom presentation. This continuous log creates an unbroken trail showing the evidence was collected, stored, and transferred properly, reducing opportunities for tampering and supporting admissibility by proving authenticity and integrity in court. The other options jeopardize these protections: an unlocked cabinet invites tampering or loss; having a single officer handle everything with no custody log eliminates accountability and makes it impossible to prove who touched the evidence and when; destroying original notes removes critical material that could verify procedures and admissibility.