FiveM CAD Evidence & Property Management: Chain of Custody Documentation

Evidence & Property Logs in CDE CAD

CDE CAD includes a dedicated Evidence/Property Log report type built specifically for documenting seized items, found property, and collected evidence. Unlike generic notes or free-text fields, the Evidence/Property Log provides structured fields that enforce consistent documentation across every officer and every case. When a patrol officer recovers a weapon from a traffic stop or a detective catalogues items from a search warrant execution, the same structured format captures every detail. This standardization is what makes chain of custody tracking possible - every item is logged with the same fields, the same workflow, and the same accountability trail. The result is evidence records that hold up under scrutiny, whether that scrutiny comes from a supervisor review, an internal affairs investigation, or a courtroom proceeding in your roleplay server.

What the Evidence Log Captures

Every evidence log entry in CDE CAD captures a comprehensive set of fields designed to establish a complete chain of custody. These fields ensure that every piece of evidence can be traced from the moment it was found to its final disposition. Here is what officers document for each item: Chain of custody is the real-world name for that unbroken record of who held an item and when, and Wikipedia on chain of custody explains why courts care about it.

Beyond individual item fields, officers can also associate each evidence entry with a civilian or suspect record. This cross-referencing links physical evidence to the people involved in the case, creating a web of documentation that investigators can follow as they build their case files.

Related Report Types for Investigations

Evidence logs do not exist in isolation. CDE CAD connects them with several other report types to build comprehensive case files. When an officer collects evidence during a search warrant execution, that evidence log links back to the warrant, the incident report, and any field interviews conducted at the scene. This interconnected approach means investigators can follow the thread from a single piece of evidence all the way through the entire investigation. Here are the report types that work alongside the Evidence/Property Log:

All report types in CDE CAD can be linked together through case numbers and cross-references. When a detective opens an evidence log, they can immediately see the associated incident report, any warrants that authorized the search, witness statements from field interviews, and supplemental reports with follow-up information. This comprehensive linking eliminates the need to manually search for related documents.

Photo & Attachment Support

Written descriptions capture the facts, but photos capture the reality. CDE CAD allows officers to attach photos and evidence images to any report, including evidence logs. Visual documentation supplements the written narrative and provides reviewers with context that words alone cannot convey. Whether it is a close-up of a serial number, a wide shot of a crime scene layout, or a photo of damaged property, these images become part of the permanent record.

Evidence photos stored with the report are accessible during supervisor reviews, internal audits, and any subsequent investigation. Officers do not need to maintain separate photo folders or external storage - everything lives within the CAD system alongside the structured data fields and chain of custody records.

Supervisor Review & Report Status

Evidence reports in CDE CAD follow the same structured review workflow as all other report types. This three-stage process ensures that every evidence log is reviewed for completeness and accuracy before it becomes part of the permanent record. The workflow creates accountability at every stage: