In legal cases, what consequence could result from a broken chain of custody?

A broken chain of custody is critical in legal proceedings, particularly when it involves evidence. The chain of custody refers to the process of maintaining and documenting the handling of evidence from the time it is collected until it is presented in court. If there is a break in this chain, it raises questions about the integrity and reliability of the evidence.

As a result, if the evidence cannot be proven to have been handled properly and securely, it may be considered tainted or manipulated, and consequently, a judge may rule that the evidence is inadmissible in court. This ruling can significantly weaken the prosecution's case, as they may lose key pieces of evidence that could have supported their arguments or claims.

In contrast, while a dismissed case, lighter sentences, or reopening investigations may occur in some contexts, these are not direct consequences of a broken chain of custody but rather dependent on various factors specific to the individual circumstances of each case. The integrity of evidence is paramount, and thus, the inadmissibility of evidence is the most immediate and clear consequence of a broken chain of custody.