Which document serves as the official record of each transfer of evidence?

• A. Scene control plan
• B. Chain of custody
• C. CPR checklist
• D. Schedule of arrest warrants

Answer: (B)

Chain of custody is the official record of every transfer and handling of evidence from collection to presentation in court. It tracks who handled the item, when and where it was moved or stored, and any changes in its condition. This continuous log preserves the evidence’s integrity and demonstrates that the item in court is the same one that was collected and has not been tampered with. For example, when evidence goes from the scene to the evidence locker, then to a forensic lab, and finally to court, each transfer is documented with the person responsible, the time, and the purpose. If the chain isn’t complete or well documented, questions can arise about the evidence’s reliability and admissibility. The other options don’t serve this function: a scene control plan is about securing and coordinating actions at a scene; a CPR checklist guides medical procedures; a schedule of arrest warrants lists legal orders, not evidence transfers.