What is the term for documenting who has possessed any evidence?

The term "Chain of Custody" refers specifically to the process of documenting the handling of evidence, detailing who has had possession of the evidence at any given time. This is a crucial component in legal and security contexts because it ensures that the integrity of the evidence is maintained. Each person who comes into contact with the evidence must be recorded, including details regarding how, when, and where they handled it. This documentation is vital for verifying that the evidence has not been altered or tampered with over time, which is essential for establishing its validity in court.

In contrast, an Evidence Log is primarily used to record specific details about the evidence itself, such as its description and location, but does not necessarily include the detailed history of possession. The Chain of Command pertains to organizational structure and hierarchy, influencing decision-making and authority distribution but unrelated to evidence documentation. An Inventory Record lists items in stock or possession but does not track the custody and handling of individual pieces of evidence through different owners.