What is the primary purpose of establishing a chain of custody in forensics?

The primary purpose of establishing a chain of custody in forensics is to ensure that evidence is handled by authorized personnel only. This process is critical for maintaining the integrity of the evidence throughout the entire investigation. By documenting each instance that evidence is accessed, transferred, or analyzed, the chain of custody helps to prevent tampering, contamination, or loss of evidence. It establishes a clear record of who has handled the evidence and under what circumstances, which serves to validate its authenticity in court. This careful oversight is essential because any break or lapse in this chain can jeopardize the admissibility of the evidence, undermining the entire investigative process.

The other options, while addressing aspects related to evidence management, do not encompass the broad protective scope of the chain of custody. For instance, proving that evidence was never altered is a consequence of maintaining a proper chain rather than its primary purpose. Similarly, providing easy access is not typically an objective of the chain of custody; rather, the focus is on maintaining security and authenticity. Finally, while documenting the collection method is important, it is just one component of the overall chain of custody process, which is more concerned with tracking the evidence's handling over time.