Which of the following best describes the term "chain of custody" in evidence handling?

The term "chain of custody" refers specifically to the process of maintaining and documenting the handling of evidence from the moment it is collected until it is presented in court. This process is critical in ensuring that the evidence remains intact, unaltered, and can be traced back to its origin. The chain of custody includes a detailed record of all individuals who have had access to or control over the evidence. This thorough documentation is essential because it helps establish the evidence's integrity and credibility during a legal proceeding.

The other options do not capture the full essence of chain of custody. For instance, a list of individuals involved in the case does not necessarily reflect their direct interaction with the evidence itself. Likewise, a summary of the evidence findings focuses more on the conclusions drawn rather than the handling process. A timeline of the investigation activities is valuable for understanding the sequence of events but does not detail the custody and handling of the evidence conveniently, which is the crux of chain of custody documentation.