What is a major consequence of failing to follow the proper chain of custody?

The major consequence of failing to follow the proper chain of custody is the loss of evidential integrity that can compromise legal proceedings. The chain of custody refers to the process of maintaining and documenting the handling of evidence. When evidence is not properly secured or documented, its authenticity and reliability can be called into question during a court case. If the evidence is deemed to have been tampered with or improperly handled, it may be inadmissible in court, which can significantly impact the outcome of legal proceedings.

This highlights the critical importance of meticulous evidence management in traffic crash investigations. A broken chain of custody can undermine the trustworthiness of evidence, leading to potential acquittals, wrongful convictions, or the dismissal of cases. Therefore, maintaining a clear and documented chain of custody is essential for upholding justice.

The other options, while they may have some relevance in the broader context of investigations, do not directly address the primary issue of evidential integrity that arises from chain of custody failures.