What does "chain of custody" ensure in criminal evidence handling?

The concept of "chain of custody" is crucial in the field of criminal evidence handling as it establishes a clear, documented process for maintaining the integrity of evidence from the moment it is collected until it is presented in court. Ensuring that each piece of evidence can be tracked through its entire lifecycle protects against tampering, loss, or contamination.

This process involves detailed documentation that records who collected the evidence, how it was handled, where it was stored, and who accessed it at various points in time. In doing so, it creates a reliable narrative that upholds the authenticity of the evidence, thereby reinforcing its value in legal proceedings.

Other options don't align with the defined purpose of chain of custody; for instance, allowing free access to evidence would compromise its integrity and could lead to alterations that undermine its validity in court. Discarding evidence freely and the immediate destruction of evidence would further contradict the principles of maintaining a secure and traceable record of how and by whom the evidence was handled and managed.