Title: What Is Chain of Custody?
Headings: What Is Chain of Custody? Definition and Examples
What Is Chain of Custody? Definition and Examples
Key Takeaways
Chain of Custody Definition
Chain of Custody Form
Chain of Custody in Civil Cases
Other Areas of Chain of Custody Importance
Sources and Further Reference

Content: Proving that an item has been properly handled through an unbroken chain of custody is required for it to be legally considered as evidence in court. While often unnoticed outside the courthouse, proper chain of custody has been a crucial factor in high-profile cases, such as the 1994 murder trial of former professional football star O.J. Simpson. Key Takeaways
Chain of custody is a legal term referring to the order and manner in which physical or electronic evidence in criminal and civil investigations has been handled. In criminal trials, the prosecution must typically prove that all evidence was handled according to a properly documented and unbroken chain of custody. Crime-related items found not to have followed a properly documented and unbroken chain of custody may not be allowed as evidence in trials. Chain of Custody Definition
In practice, a chain of custody is a chronological paper trail documenting when, how, and by whom individual items of physical or electronic evidence—such as cell phone logs—were collected, handled, analyzed, or otherwise controlled during an investigation. Under the law, an item will not be accepted as evidence during the trial—will not be seen by the jury—unless the chain of custody is an unbroken and properly documented trail without gaps or discrepancies. In order to convict a defendant of a crime, the evidence against them must have been handled in a meticulously careful manner to prevent tampering or contamination. In court, the chain of custody documentation is presented by the prosecution in order to prove that the item of evidence is, in fact, related to the alleged crime, and that it had been in the possession of the defendant. In an effort to establish a reasonable doubt of guilt, the defense looks for holes or acts of mishandling in the chain of custody to show, for example, that the item may have been fraudulently “planted” to make the accused person appear guilty.