For chain of custody in tangible evidence it is important to note a few general rules. The admission of demonstrative evidence is a matter committed to the discretion of the trial court and should be argued for or against by your Lehigh County criminal lawyer, although every hypothetical possibility of tampering or identity need not be eliminated. The Commonwealth does not have to show a complete chain of custody to qualify its demonstrative evidence. It is sufficient to show evidence establishing a reasonable inference that the identity and condition of the evidence has remained the same from the time it was first received until the time of trial.
The Commonwealth must demonstrate some reasonable connection between the proffered exhibits and the true evidence, and when the Commonwealth fails to establish a chain between the evidence being offered in the evidence seized, that evidence is not admissible. Relevant ballistic testimony and weapons are admissible despite the Commonwealth's inability to determine conclusively that the weapon introduced was the actual weapon used in the crime. For example, a weapon later discovered in a defendant's possession was properly admitted.
Even though it could not be positively identified as the weapon used to commit the crime, it tended to prove that the defendant had a weapon similar to the one used. A weapon may be admissible even when there's no proof that it is the weapon that was actually used. All that is required before a weapon may be introduced into evidence is a sufficient foundation demonstrating circumstances justifying an inference of the likelihood that the weapon was used in the course of the crime charged.