Which step initiates the chain of custody for personal effects and evidence seized from an arrestee during processing?

• A. Inventory all items
• B. Bag and seal belongings
• C. Label with arrestee ID
• D. Log each item

Answer: (A)

Initiating the chain of custody starts with creating an itemized inventory of everything taken from the arrestee. This step establishes a baseline record that details each personal effect and piece of evidence, including its condition and how it relates to the arrestee. With this comprehensive list in place, every future handling, transfer, or storage action can be traced back to the original items, preserving accountability and integrity.

Bagging and sealing, labeling, and logging are important subsequent steps to secure and track the items, but they depend on knowing exactly what exists first. Without an initial inventory, items can be missed or misidentified, which undermines the chain of custody.