What is the proper handling of property and evidence handoff to another facility?

• A. Log and transfer to evidence with no chain of custody.
• B. Log and transfer to evidence, ensuring chain of custody is not needed.
• C. Return all items to arrestee at arrival.
• D. Log and transfer to evidence with chain of custody.

Answer: (D)

Maintaining a chain of custody when property or evidence is handed off between facilities is essential. The chain of custody is the unbroken, documented trail showing who handled the item, when, and why, from the moment it’s collected to its final disposition. Logging the transfer and moving the items into evidence with the chain of custody in place creates accountability and protects the item’s integrity, making it admissible in court. This means inventorying the item, securely sealing it, recording the transfer on a chain-of-custody form, and obtaining the proper signatures with dates and times from both the officer transferring and the receiving personnel. If the chain isn’t maintained, the item’s provenance can be questioned, and its admissibility could be at risk. Returning items to an arrestee is not appropriate for evidence handling, and transferring without a documented chain of custody undermines security and legal integrity.