How can the integrity of collected evidence be jeopardized?

The integrity of collected evidence can be jeopardized through both incorrect labeling and allowing unauthorized access. When evidence is labeled incorrectly, it can lead to misunderstandings about its origin, chain of custody, or relevance to the case. This misrepresentation can ultimately affect the validity of the evidence in a legal context, potentially leading to wrongful conclusions or decisions in a case.

Additionally, unauthorized access to evidence poses a significant threat to its integrity. If individuals who are not authorized to handle or view the evidence gain access, they could tamper with, alter, or contaminate the evidence, thereby compromising its authenticity. This can result in questions about the evidence's reliability in court, making it inadmissible.

In contrast, using transparent evidence bags does not inherently compromise the integrity of the evidence; rather, they can be beneficial for visibility and verification of the evidence contained within, as long as the bags are securely sealed and monitored for unauthorized access. Thus, the combination of incorrect labeling and unauthorized access illustrates the critical factors that can compromise evidence integrity, underscoring the importance of proper evidence handling procedures.