What must physical evidence be to be admissible in court or other proceedings?

For physical evidence to be admissible in court or other legal proceedings, it is essential that it is identified, documented, preserved, and analyzed.

Identification is the first crucial step, where investigators must recognize the physical evidence and establish its relevance to the case. Documentation follows, involving detailed recording of the evidence, including photographs, sketches, and written descriptions, which creates a permanent record of the evidence's existence and condition. Preservation is equally important; it ensures that the evidence remains uncontaminated and in the same state as when it was collected, which is vital for its integrity. Finally, analysis involves examining the evidence using scientific methods to gather insights that support the investigation.

This process ensures that the evidence maintains its reliability and can withstand scrutiny in a legal setting, making it admissible in court. The other options do not include all the necessary steps or include irrelevant actions, which would compromise the evidentiary value and validity in legal contexts.