Principle 3: Effective Investigation and alleged violations,406 with the aim of preserving the integrity of evidence and mitigating security risks in keeping such information.407 Ultimately, “the goal is to establish a clear and unbroken chain of records that allows the court [or other adjudicative body] to reconstruct who has had control of what information at every point in time.”408 Proper chain of custody is a crucial component of investigation and dispute resolution, more generally, as adjudication decisions may be affected by the quality of the physical evidence supporting a complaint. Investigative bodies have the burden of proving that the collection, use, and preservation of evidence comports with international and national best practices for investigation. Thus, investigative bodies must ensure that evidence meets internal standards and conforms to admissibility requirements.409 Continuity of Possession In addition to regularly cross-checking each item of evidence against the corresponding records, an investigative body must also maintain a thorough inventory of physical evidence to ensure that all items are properly secured and preserved for subsequent adjudication.410 The inventory process begins with logging evidence as it enters the investigative body and ends when the complaint is resolved with a record of the disposition. Inventory lists should indicate an evidence item’s specific location within a designated control area. To protect information during the inventory process, investigators should maintain duplicates of documents, seal boxes holding original documents, and limit access to inventory logs and evidence.411 When moving evidence from the property room to any external location, investigators must monitor the transfer and treatment of the evidence to ensure that it is returned in a timely manner.412 If possible, the investigative body should require the individual who is authorized to transfer evidence, 406 U.N. Office on Drugs & Crime, Crime Scene and Physical Awareness for Non-Forensic Personnel 4 (2009). 407 Christian A. Nielsen & Jann K. Kleffner, A Handbook on Assisting International Criminal Investigations 56 (Maria Nystedt ed., 2013). 408 Id. 409 Cf. Canadian Investigators’ Manual Ch. 9, supra note 401, at 1–8; see also Evidence Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-5, §§ 24–31 (as amended 2013) (Can.) (information on admissibility of various documents for evidentiary purposes). 410 Cf. Latta & Giles, supra note 399, at 74. 411 Canadian Investigators’ Manual Ch. 9 , supra note 401, at 3. 412 Latta & Giles, supra note 399, at 21; Canadian Investigators’ Manual Ch. 9, supra note 401, at 5. 119