What must be maintained in an unbroken state to support the integrity of evidence?

The integrity of evidence is paramount in any investigation, and the chain of custody plays a critical role in ensuring that integrity is maintained. The chain of custody refers to the process of handling evidence from the time it is collected until it is presented in court. It involves documenting each person who handles the evidence, the time of transfer, and the conditions under which the evidence is stored. This meticulous documentation prevents any tampering, loss, or contamination of the evidence, thereby upholding its admissibility and reliability in legal proceedings.

If the chain of custody is broken, it can result in questions regarding the evidence's authenticity and reliability. This is crucial because evidence must be shown to have been unaltered and in the same condition when presented as it was when collected. Therefore, maintaining an unbroken chain of custody is essential for preserving the evidentiary value of materials collected during an investigation.