What is the term used for the chronological documentation of evidence handling in criminal investigations?

The term "chain of custody" refers to the chronological documentation or paper trail that records the sequence of custody, control, transfer, analysis, and disposition of physical and electronic evidence in a criminal investigation. This process is crucial in maintaining the integrity and reliability of the evidence collected, ensuring that it has not been tampered with or altered from the point of collection to the presentation in court.

Each person who handles the evidence must be identified, along with the dates and times of transfer, creating a clear record. This meticulous tracking allows law enforcement and the judicial system to establish the authenticity of the evidence, thereby strengthening its admissibility in court proceedings.