Opinion ID: 1752176
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: Chain of Custody Objection

Text: This objection applies to the Lane murder only. During the investigation following discovery of Mrs. Lane's body, the police seized certain items of evidence including knives, a knife box, hair curlers, clothing, and other incidental items. They were eventually sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington for analysis and were introduced as physical evidence at defendant's trial. Objection was made that there was no proper showing of custody while the items were in possession of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Although defendant seeks to enlarge upon his objection on this appeal, we limit our consideration to the objections made at trial. State v. Pepples, 250 N.W.2d 390, 393 (Iowa 1977). The test for admissibility of physical evidence in the face of a chain-of-custody objection is that it be reasonably probable tampering, substitution or alteration did not occur. State v. Gibb, 303 N.W.2d 673, 681 (Iowa 1981). The proof necessary to satisfy this rule differs from case to case, depending on the type of evidence under consideration. We require a strict showing in dealing with drugs, blood, and other substances which are subject to deterioration or change without detection. Id. We follow a less demanding rule when the evidence consists of solid property not easily altered or tampered with. State v. Pierce, 287 N.W.2d 570, 574 (Iowa 1980). In the present case the evidence is of the latter kind. The testimony was undisputed that the articles were returned to the State by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in substantially the same condition as received. There is no suggestion that any tampering occurred. Under these circumstances the court did not abuse its discretion in permitting the evidence to be received.