What Is Chain of Custody?
Chain of Custody is a documented record showing who collected, handled, transferred, stored, or examined evidence. The record helps establish that an item presented in a legal case is the same item obtained after an incident. It also identifies changes in possession and supports questions about evidence reliability.
Quick Facts About Chain of Custody
Category
Evidence documentation
Used for
Tracking physical and digital evidence
Common confusion
It does not establish liability by itself
Often discussed with
Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
Key Takeaways About Chain of Custody
- The record follows evidence through each transfer.
- Photos, labels, storage records, and transfer notes may support the record.
- Chain of custody is not the same as proving fault.
How Chain of Custody Works
Chain of Custody works through a continuous record for an item of evidence. The record identifies the item, describes its condition, and notes each person or organization that receives it. Photos, labels, storage entries, transfer forms, and laboratory records can help connect the item from collection to later review.
Related glossary terms: Black Box, Discovery, Expert Witness.
In a drunk driving accident case, evidence may include a vehicle component, a blood sample, a video file, or a device record. Each transfer should show who released the item, who received it, and how the item was stored. A gap, mismatch, or unexplained change can create a dispute about whether the evidence is authentic or reliable. Evidence preservation supports the record, while authentication addresses whether the item is what a party claims.
From the Atlanta Auto Law team
When we review evidence in a drunk driving accident matter, we trace the item from its collection through later handling. We compare labels, transfer records, photographs, storage information, and testing records for consistency. We also consider whether a gap affects the evidence or raises a separate issue for the case.
Chain of Custody in Practice: A Real-World Example
After a suspected drunk driving crash, an investigator collects a damaged vehicle part and records its condition. A documented transfer to storage and later examination helps show that the item reviewed in the case is the same item collected at the scene.
Related Services
Related Terms
Black Box
Black Box is a vehicle data recorder that captures selected information about a truck before, during…
Discovery
Discovery is the formal exchange of information and evidence between parties in a lawsuit. In a…
Expert Witness
An Expert Witness is a qualified professional who gives specialized opinions to help explain technical, medical…
Medical Records
Medical Records are written or electronic documents that describe a patient’s health history, examinations, diagnoses, treatment…
Atlanta Auto Law
Have Questions About Chain of Custody?
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