Observation & ReportsQuestion 140 of 200

When a security guard takes possession of physical evidence pending police arrival, the 'chain of custody' principle requires:

a.Photographing the evidence and then discarding it

b.Keeping the evidence in any nearby drawer until shift end

c.Documenting who handled the evidence, when, where, and for what purpose — from discovery through transfer to police — in an unbroken, recorded chain; gaps or unrecorded transfers undermine authentication (Evidence Code §1400 et seq.) and may render the evidence inadmissible

d.Allowing any employee to handle the evidence freely

Explanation

Chain of custody is the unbroken, documented chronology of who possessed, handled, transported, or analyzed an item of evidence from discovery to presentation in court. Gaps invite challenges that the evidence may have been tampered with, swapped, or contaminated, potentially excluding it under Evidence Code §1400 et seq. Guards should secure the item promptly (gloves to avoid contamination), record discovery details (time, location, finder), bag/tag/seal with identifying information, store securely, and document each subsequent handler and time of transfer. Photograph (a) is appropriate but does not replace preservation. Unsecured storage (b) and free handling (c) break the chain.

Law Reference: Cal. Evidence Code §1400 et seq. (authentication); chain-of-custody doctrine

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When a security guard takes possession of physical evidence pending police arrival, the 'chain of custody' principle requires:

Explanation

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