What must accompany evidence when it is collected?

When evidence is collected, it is essential to accompany it with an evidence tag. The evidence tag serves multiple important functions in the chain of custody process. It typically includes vital information such as a unique identifier or case number, a description of the evidence, the date and time of collection, the name of the officer collecting the evidence, and any other pertinent details that might be necessary for tracking and verifying the handling of that evidence.

This tagging is crucial because it helps ensure the integrity of the evidence throughout the investigative process, preventing contamination, loss, or confusion over which items belong to which cases. Proper documentation through evidence tags aids in courtroom proceedings, where the authenticity and chain of custody of the evidence can significantly influence case outcomes.

In contrast, while a desk journal may contain notes from the officer's activities and field test results may indicate forensic analysis outcomes, these items do not serve the specific purpose of uniquely identifying and detailing the evidence itself. Similarly, a comms log would pertain to communications but is not directly related to the handling and identification of physical evidence. The evidence tag remains the primary tool for maintaining evidence integrity and accountability.