Forensic Audio Chain of Custody

In the event your recording is used in a court of law, it is important that a "chain of custody"
be established(i.e., a record documenting who has had physical custody of the tape, for how long,
and under what security conditions). The following steps outline a procedure for the
documentation of each change of custody.

 

1. Place recording in an envelope and seal it, and staple the seal.
2. Write on the envelope the date and time it was sealed, and the signature of the person sealing the envelope.
3. A written verification of receipt (such as a return receipt) should be obtained when custody is transferred.

 

1. Write on the envelope the date and time received.
2. Write on the envelope the date and time opened.
3. Sign the envelope verifying that it has not been previously opened.

 

1. The recording and original envelope should be placed in a new envelope, sealed and stapled.
2. Write on the envelope the date and time sealed, and the signature of the person sealing the envelope.
3. A written verification of receipt (such as a return receipt) should be obtained when custody is transferred.

Each envelope is placed inside the next subsequent envelope. This procedure should be followed
at each change of custody. CAE will warrant that, while the tape was in its possession it was stored in a secure
area and was in the sole possession of the engineer working on the tape,
and further that no changes were made to the original recording while it was in the possession of CAE.