In a property inventory, how should items be handled?

• A. List items, describe, note condition, assign custody, and obtain arrestee signature where feasible
• B. Inventory valuables only
• C. Do not obtain signatures
• D. Inventory and destroy the items

Answer: (A)

Complete property inventories require documenting everything: list each item, describe it, note its condition, assign custody to an officer or facility, and obtain the arrestee’s signature when feasible. This creates a reliable chain of custody, ensures accountability, and provides a verifiable record in case items are missing or damaged later. Merely inventorying valuables leaves other items unrecorded and vulnerable to dispute, while skipping signatures weakens verification. Destroying items after inventory would be inappropriate and could violate rights and evidence-handling rules.