Why is it important to maintain continuity of evidence?

Why is it important to maintain continuity of evidence?

Importance of Maintaining Integrity of Evidence It is important that the integrity of these potential exhibits be preserved. During a routine surveillance, audit or investigation, inspectors may not be aware of any future developments that may lead to prosecution or other actions where evidence may be required.

What is continuity of evidence?

Admissibility concerns whether an exhibit (such as drugs) is evidence in the trial that can be considered by the trier of fact. “Continuity” of evidence can be thought in two ways: The preservation of evidence. The chain of custody of evidence.

What is the continuity of evidence forensics?

Continuity of evidence is a term used to describe whether there is sufficient evidence to show that the foreign body was in the food when it left the factory or the restaurant’s kitchen.

Why is it important to process evidence properly?

If the evidence wasn’t correctly collected and preserved, then its credibility is significantly damaged, and it may even be rendered inadmissible. Failure to preserve evidence properly can lead to a mistrial or abandonment of charge against the accused since evidence is the basis of a prosecution case.

What does continuity of evidence mean police?

1. To maintain the integrity of real evidence relied upon in court, it is necessary that the prosecution is in a position to account for all the time during which exhibits have been in the possession of the investigators.

Why is it important to maintain chain of custody?

Importance of the Chain of Custody The chain of custody proves the integrity of a piece of evidence. [1] A paper trail is maintained so that the persons who had charge of the evidence at any given time can be known quickly and summoned to testify during the trial if required.

What is continuity and integrity?

Continuity and integrity of exhibits You must ensure that all exhibits are kept safely and that there is a clear, identifiable audit trail from the moment that exhibits are seized to the moment they are presented in evidence.

Why is chain of custody important for evidence integrity?

Why is it important to maintain the chain of custody? It is important to maintain the chain of custody to preserve the integrity of the evidence and prevent it from contamination, which can alter the state of the evidence. If not preserved, the evidence presented in court might be challenged and ruled inadmissible.

Why is it important to collect evidence at a crime scene?

The purpose of crime scene investigation is to help establish what happened (crime scene reconstruction) and to identify the responsible person. The ability to recognize and properly collect physical evidence is oftentimes critical to both solving and prosecuting violent crimes.

What does preserving evidence mean?

Evidence preservation is the process of seizing suspect property without altering or changing the contents of data that resides on devices and removable media.

How do police safeguard the continuity of evidence?

Preservation of Evidence to the extent possible, avoid contaminating evidence. photograph or video record the scene as well as individual objects before moving anything. protect forensic evidence from the elements. keep each piece of evidence separate from other pieces of evidence in order to prevent cross- …

Why is continuity important in practice?

The evidence suggests that improving continuity brings benefits both in terms of clinical outcomes and cost effectiveness. Consultants and patients sense its importance and it could be argued that we should aim for 100% continuity for our patients. Yet it seems to occur in a very limited way in practice.

When should the evidence of continuity be lead in court?

The evidence of continuity should be lead where there is potential evidence before the court, by direct or circumstantial evidence or by inference, that may raise doubt as to the continuity. Even where gaps may raise a reasonable doubt about the item in court is the same seized initially by police,…

What is a gap in continuity in evidence?

Gaps in continuity are not fatal unless they raise a reasonable doubt about the exhibit’s integrity. In drug cases, where evidence does not establish continuity before being sent to the lab, a doubt arises and must be resolved in favour of the accused.

How do you prove continuity of possession of evidence?

Continuity of possession 53 (1) In any proceeding under this Act or the regulations, continuity of possession of any exhibit tendered as evidence in that proceeding may be proved by the testimony of, or the affidavit or solemn declaration of, the person claiming to have had it in their possession. Alternative method of proof