ASIS PCI key terms

A documented, unbroken record of who handled a piece of evidence, when, where, and for what purpose, from collection through final disposition.

The condition of evidence remaining unaltered and unaltered in meaning since collection, protected by proper packaging, sealing, and documented handling.

A closure that shows visible damage if opened, applied to evidence containers so any unauthorized access becomes apparent to later examiners.

A running register recording each item collected, its identifier, description, location found, collector, and time of collection.

A label attached to or accompanying an evidence item that carries its unique identifier and links it to the case record.

The legal principle requiring the original document, recording, or object when its contents are at issue, with copies admitted only under recognized exceptions.

Proof that an item is what its proponent claims it to be, typically established through witness testimony or distinctive characteristics.

Data or material that degrades or disappears quickly, such as system memory or network state, requiring priority collection and special handling.

A prioritized sequence for capturing evidence, starting with the most perishable sources and moving to the most persistent.

Creating a bit-for-bit duplicate of a storage device or data set so analysis proceeds on the copy while the original stays preserved.

A fixed-length digital fingerprint computed from data; any change to the data produces a different value, allowing later verification of integrity.

The actual physical or electronic record created at the time of the event, as distinguished from later copies or reproductions.

The structured planning, tracking, and coordination of investigative work, resources, deadlines, and documentation across the life of a case.

The consolidated record of a case containing reports, evidence references, correspondence, and decisions, maintained as the authoritative account.

Contemporaneous written records of actions taken, observations made, and information received, kept in chronological order and attributed to their author.

Notes made at or near the time of an event, valued because they are closer to the facts and less affected by later memory decay.

The final outcome or resolution of a case, including findings, actions taken, referrals, and the rationale for closing or escalating.

A written outline of objectives, scope, hypotheses, resources, timeline, and methods guiding an investigation from opening to conclusion.

The defined boundaries of what an inquiry will and will not cover, including subjects, time period, locations, and issues.

A situation where an investigator's personal, financial, or other interest could bias judgment or appear to compromise impartiality.

Basing conclusions on verifiable evidence and sound reasoning rather than personal feelings, assumptions, or desired outcomes.

A systematic slant in perception, questioning, or interpretation that can distort collection and analysis of information.

The tendency to seek, notice, and favor information that supports an existing belief while discounting contrary evidence.

A planned conversation with a person to gather information, conducted without accusation and aimed at obtaining accurate, voluntary accounts.

A structured interviewing method that prompts witnesses to reconstruct context, recall in varied orders, and report from multiple perspectives to improve memory retrieval.

Questioning of a suspect focused on obtaining admissions, conducted under legal constraints and with safeguards against coercion.

The requirement that statements be given freely, without threats, promises, or coercion that would render them unreliable or inadmissible.

A set of rights advisements given before custodial questioning by government agents, covering silence, counsel, and appointed representation.

A legal status in which a person is not free to leave, triggering rights advisements before questioning by government agents.

A procedure for having a witness pick a suspect from a lineup or photo array, conducted with fair and unbiased methods.

A one-person identification procedure presented shortly after an incident, inherently suggestive and requiring careful documentation.

Systematic observation of persons, places, or activities to gather information, conducted lawfully and documented in detail.

Planned activity conducted without the subject's knowledge to obtain information, requiring authorization and careful records.

A visual or structured method of mapping relationships among people, organizations, transactions, and events to reveal patterns and associations.

A grid showing which entities in a case are connected to which others, used to quantify and compare relationships.

Arranging events in chronological order to test consistency, identify gaps, and establish sequences of cause and effect.

Formulating competing explanations and evaluating evidence for and against each, rather than seeking to confirm a single theory.

Reasoning that organizes collected information into findings, weighs its reliability, and draws defensible conclusions.

The structured delivery of findings, evidence, and conclusions to decision-makers, often with visual exhibits and a clear narrative.

Producing a clear, factual, well-organized written account of an investigation suitable for readers who were not present.

Core standards such as legality, objectivity, thoroughness, and documentation that govern how inquiries are conducted.

The requirement that procedures be fair, lawful, and consistent, protecting the rights of all parties involved.

The quality of information that tends to make a fact of consequence more or less probable than it would be without it.

Whether evidence may be considered by a decision-maker, determined by rules on relevance, reliability, and lawful collection.

The degree to which a piece of evidence actually supports or undermines a proposition in the case.

A principle limiting access to case information to those whose duties require it, protecting privacy and investigation integrity.

The duty to protect sensitive information from unauthorized disclosure, maintained through access controls and careful communication.

The freedom of an investigator from direction or influence that could compromise findings, often supported by reporting lines and oversight.