What might happen if evidence is not properly preserved?

If evidence is not properly preserved, it could lead to spoliation, which refers to the intentional or unintentional destruction, alteration, or loss of evidence. When spoliation occurs, it can have serious implications for the legal process, including undermining the integrity of a case and potentially leading to a dismissal or adverse rulings against the party responsible for the evidence. Courts may impose sanctions for spoliation, including drawing negative inferences against the party that failed to preserve the evidence, adversely affecting their credibility and the outcome of the case.

The concept of spoliation emphasizes the importance of maintaining evidence in its original state and ensuring that all protocols for evidence handling are strictly followed to uphold justice in legal proceedings.