What does the chain of custody describe?

• A. The paperwork required to seize a suspect's property
• B. The documented and unbroken transfer of evidence that follows exact procedures of logging and packaging evidence from crime scene to court
• C. The timeline for submitting evidence to the lab
• D. The sequence of steps for processing a crime scene

Answer: (B)

The chain of custody is the documented and unbroken transfer of evidence as it moves from collection at the crime scene through storage, analysis, and ultimately to court. It centers on keeping a precise record of every person who handles the item, when and where it was moved, and how it was packaged and sealed, so the evidence remains intact and tamper-proof. This continuous log and careful packaging prevent questions about contamination, tampering, or substitution, which could jeopardize admissibility in court. The emphasis is on traceability and integrity from start to finish. The other options refer to different aspects—seizure paperwork, lab submission timelines, or general scene processing—not the ongoing custody and handling of evidence.