Which document is essential for evidence custody in crime scene investigations?

In crime scene investigations, evidence custody documents are crucial because they provide a formal record of the chain of custody for physical evidence collected during an investigation. These documents track the handling of evidence from the moment it is collected until it is presented in court, ensuring that the evidence has not been tampered with or contaminated. Proper documentation is vital for maintaining the integrity and admissibility of evidence in legal proceedings.

While field notes, witness statements, and incident reports all play important roles in the investigation process, they do not specifically serve the purpose of tracking the custody of evidence. Field notes assist officers in recalling details, witness statements provide accounts of the event, and incident reports summarize the occurrence. However, only evidence custody documents are designed to maintain and authenticate the evidence’s chain of custody, which is critical for the judicial process.