Chain of custody
In plain English: chain of custody is the record showing who collected a piece of evidence, where it was kept, and everyone who handled it, so a court can trust it hasn't been changed.
Why it matters in an accident claim
If the other side can suggest evidence was altered, lost or swapped, it may carry less weight or be excluded. That applies to physical items, like a broken ladder, a failed tyre or a child seat, and to digital files like CCTV, dashcam video and vehicle data downloads.
How to keep a clean chain
- Keep the original file or item. Work from copies.
- Don't edit, crop or trim original video or photos.
- Write down when and how you got each item or file, and from whom.
- Store physical items safely and don't repair or clean them.
- If you hand something over, get a signed receipt with the date.
- For serious claims, let your lawyer arrange expert downloads and inspections.
Example
A shop sends you CCTV of your fall. Save the original email and attachment, don't convert or trim it, and note who sent it and when. If the footage is challenged later, you can show exactly where it came from.
Related: preservation letter · photographic evidence · event data recorder.
Related terms
General information, not legal or medical advice. Rules differ between US states, the UK and Canadian provinces, so check the law where your accident happened. How we write and check · Legal disclaimer