If the chain of custody is broken, what is a likely consequence for the evidence?

• A. Evidence may be deemed inadmissible in court
• B. Evidence is automatically admissible
• C. Evidence becomes hearsay
• D. Evidence loses its weight completely

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that the chain of custody records who handled the evidence, when, and how it was stored, to prove its authenticity and integrity from collection to court. If that chain is broken, there’s doubt about whether the evidence has remained unaltered or is the same item that was collected. That doubt undermines reliability, so the court may exclude the evidence to prevent unreliable information from influencing the case. While in some situations admitted evidence can carry less weight if the chain is compromised, the typical consequence tied to a broken chain is that the evidence may be deemed inadmissible.