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What Every Law Enforcement Officer Should Know About DNA Evidence

First Responding Officers

Chain of Custody Record

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Image of police recording details in the chain of custody record
National Institute of Justice (NIJ) (see reuse policy).

The chain of custody record must contain identifiers that describe the evidence at the time it was found, such as location and position, as well as other details consistent with your jurisdictional requirements. In addition, the record must contain information on who collected the evidence and verification that the evidence was packaged and appropriately sealed. Remember that the information contained in this record will be included in your comprehensive report. This report may be the basis for testimony in court proceedings.

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