Location and collection of evidence is based on what principle?

• A. Chain of custody
• B. Weather conditions
• C. Incident size
• D. Time of day

Answer: (A)

Chain of custody governs how evidence is located, collected, and preserved, and how its handling is documented from the moment it’s found until it’s presented in court. This principle ensures that evidence remains authentic and untampered by recording who found it, where it was found, how it was collected, and every person who handles it along the way. By using proper containment, labeling, and a continuous transfer log, the integrity of the evidence is maintained and its admissibility is protected.

Weather conditions, incident size, or time of day may influence how you operate at the scene, but they do not define the method for handling and documenting evidence.