What can cause spoliation of evidence?

Spoliation of evidence occurs when there is any alteration, destruction, or tampering of evidence after it has been collected. This can compromise the integrity of the evidence, affect its admissibility in court, and obstruct the investigation process. Proper evidence management relies on maintaining the original state of the evidence to ensure that it can be accurately analyzed and presented in legal proceedings. Therefore, any act that modifies or damages evidence—whether intentional or unintentional—constitutes spoliation.

In contrast, options that involve proper collection, documentation, and handling of evidence do not lead to spoliation; these practices aim to preserve the integrity of evidence throughout the investigative process.