Introduction
1. Chain of Custody and Documentation Even the most advanced DNA analysis is worthless if the evidence’s journey from scene to lab is unrecorded. Investigative integrity demands a seamless chain of custody: every transfer, every opening of a sealed package, every test performed must be logged with timestamps and signatures. This is not merely bureaucratic; it is a legal necessity to rebut allegations of tampering or contamination. Digital forensics adds layers of complexity: write-blockers, cryptographic hashes, and audit logs are essential to preserve the integrity of electronic evidence. Courts routinely exclude evidence where the chain is broken. Thus, integrity is operationalized through meticulous documentation. Introduction 1
Despite robust legislative principles and calls for integrity, challenges remain. Budgetary pressures lead to underfunded labs, where overworked analysts cut corners. The “CSI effect” raises public and juror expectations beyond scientific reality. Moreover, new technologies—such as probabilistic genotyping software or algorithmic forensic tools—often outpace legislative oversight. Here, investigative integrity must act as a stopgap: analysts should transparently validate algorithms and disclose their limitations, even if no specific law yet requires it. This is not merely bureaucratic; it is a