What is the purpose of maintaining a chain of custody for evidence in investigations?

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The main idea is preserving the integrity of evidence so it can be trusted and used in court. The chain of custody tracks every step the evidence takes—from collection through all transfers, handling, testing, and storage—by recording who touched it, when, where, and what was done. This keeps the item from being altered or contaminated and provides a clear, verifiable history that supports its authenticity and admissibility. If any link in this chain is broken or poorly documented, the evidence can be challenged or excluded because its reliability could be in doubt.

While tracking ownership might seem related, the critical goal is ensuring the evidence remains unaltered and properly documented. Publicly publishing every step isn’t required or practical, and assigning blame to investigators isn’t the purpose; the emphasis is on maintaining a trustworthy record that upholds the integrity of the investigation.