New Mexico Security Guard Practice Exam

What could be a result of, after collecting and storing evidence, the “Chain Of Custody” being broken?

1. Evidence may no longer be admissible in court

2. The accused could walk free

3. Professionalism would be in question

4. All of the above

The correct answer is: All of the above

The option "All of the above" is correct because it encompasses all potential consequences of breaking the "Chain of Custody". To explain each point: The "Chain of Custody" refers to the traceable, documented process that a piece of evidence goes through from the moment it is collected to the moment it is presented in court. This process is important for maintaining the integrity of the evidence and ensuring that it has not been tampered with or altered. So, if this chain is broken, it means there's a failed continuity of possession and tracking which can lead to irregularities and suspicions, potentially causing the evidence to no longer be admissible in court. This broken chain can cast doubt on the evidence's integrity and relevance, which could lead to the evidence being thrown out. When evidence becomes inadmissible or thrown out, it may result in a lack of evidence against an accused individual. This could potentially lead to the accused walking free if the collected evidence was pivotal to the case. Lastly, breaking the "Chain of Custody" could put the professionalism of the individuals involved in evidence collection, storage, and presentation into question. They are expected to uphold the chain to preserve the integrity of the investigation and to ensure fair trial outcomes