What is required for the collection of evidence to be considered admissible in court?

For evidence to be considered admissible in court, it is essential that it be collected in accordance with established procedures. This requirement ensures that the integrity of the evidence is maintained and that it has been gathered in a way that complies with legal standards and protocols. Adhering to established procedures helps to prevent contamination, tampering, or any other manipulation that could call the evidence’s validity into question. Moreover, proper procedure includes documenting the chain of custody, which is crucial for maintaining the evidence's authenticity and reliability.

While evidence collected by law enforcement is important, it is not exclusively necessary for the evidence to be admissible, as under some circumstances evidence collected by other properly trained individuals can still be deemed admissible. Similarly, while the involvement of a forensic expert can lend credibility to the presentation of the evidence, it is not a requirement for admissibility in court. Recording evidence on video may be helpful for procedural documentation and enhancement of the case but is not a strict requirement for admissibility either. Thus, adherence to established procedures is the cornerstone for ensuring that evidence can be effectively used in legal proceedings.