FSC100H5 Chapter Notes - Chapter 7-8: Corpus Delicti, Trace Evidence, List Of Latin Legal Terms
Document Summary
How does physical evidence impact on the overall investigation? the assumption is that it will form a good part of the investigation and may impact on the direction in which it progresses. Since evidentiary materials may end up in court as part of an exhibit and/or expert testimony, it is necessary to safeguard its transport, handling, labelling, and constant whereabouts. Prevents unauthorized persons from accessing, tampering, adding, or altering evidence in any way, from its original discovery right through to its presentation in court . Maintaining the chain of custody or possession means a complete and unbroken record of: Where it was located when it became evidence. Who initially seized it the date and time it became evidence. What has been done to the evidence this level of information ensures the integrity of all evidence in several ways: protection from dirt, moisture, abrasion, or other adverse conditions, protection from loss or misplacement, protection from tampering.
