Border Patrol Supervisor Practice Test

What is the purpose of the I-641 form?

1. Incident Report

2. Chain of Custody Form

3. Detention Order

4. Surveillance Request

The correct answer is: Chain of Custody Form

The I-641 form serves the critical function of documenting the chain of custody for evidence collected in an investigation. This form is essential in ensuring that all evidence can be traced accurately from the time it is collected until it is presented in court or used in administrative proceedings. It includes detailed records of who handled the evidence, when it was collected, and under what circumstances, thereby establishing that the evidence has been preserved in an unaltered state. By maintaining a robust chain of custody, the integrity and credibility of the evidence are upheld, which is paramount in any legal proceeding. The other options do not fit the primary role of the I-641 form. For instance, while an incident report is used to document specific events or occurrences related to law enforcement activities, it does not focus on the custody of evidence. A detention order pertains specifically to the formal action of detaining an individual, which is unrelated to evidence management. Similarly, a surveillance request would be used to seek permission or authorization for surveillance activities, rather than concerning the documentation of evidence handling. The I-641 form's emphasis on evidence tracking distinguishes it as a vital tool in law enforcement procedures.