What does the term "chain of custody" refer to in criminal investigations?

The term "chain of custody" refers specifically to the continuous tracking of evidence from the moment it is collected until it is presented in court. This concept is crucial in criminal investigations because it ensures the integrity of the evidence. By meticulously documenting each person who handles the evidence and the circumstances surrounding its collection, law enforcement can maintain the authenticity and reliability of that evidence. If the chain of custody is broken or improperly documented, it raises questions about the evidence’s validity, potentially jeopardizing the prosecution's case.

The process of securing the crime scene and the documentation of who collected evidence are fundamental parts of the investigation but do not encompass the full scope of the chain of custody. The legal processes involved in prosecuting a suspect focus on the judicial proceedings rather than the management and tracking of evidence itself. Thus, the continuous tracking of evidence is the essential feature that defines the chain of custody.