Final answer:
The chain of custody must be maintained in legal proceedings to ensure the integrity and reliability of evidence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The chain of custody must be maintained in legal proceedings to ensure the integrity and reliability of evidence.
Chain of custody refers to the chronological documentation of the possession, transfer, and analysis of evidence, from the time it is collected until it is presented in court. It is crucial because it establishes a clear and unbroken trail that proves the evidence has not been tampered with or altered.
By maintaining a proper chain of custody, it ensures that the evidence is admissible in court and can be used to support or refute a case. For example, if there is a break in the chain of custody, the defense can argue that the evidence may have been contaminated or mishandled, thereby undermining its validity.