Continuity of Exhibit
Definition
The principle, applied in English and Welsh courts and reflected in PACE Code B, that an exhibit must be shown to have been in uninterrupted or adequately explained custody from seizure to court. Loss of continuity is one of the most common grounds for challenging physical evidence.
- Jurisdiction
- England and Wales
- Governing rule
- PACE Code B
- Common challenge
- Broken or unexplained gap in custody
- Applies to
- Physical exhibits seized as evidence
Common questions
What happens in court if continuity of an exhibit is broken?+
A break does not automatically exclude the exhibit, but it opens the door for the defence to argue the item may have been altered, contaminated, or mixed up, weakening the weight a jury should give it.
Who is responsible for maintaining continuity of an exhibit?+
Every person who handles the item, from the seizing officer through the laboratory to the court, is responsible for logging their transfer with date, time, and the item's condition at handover.
Related terms
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- Chain of Custody
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- Probative Value
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- Weight of Evidence
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