What type of storage is essential for preserving evidence?

Preserving evidence is critical to maintaining its integrity and ensuring that it can be used effectively in legal proceedings. A sealed container is essential for this purpose because it prevents contamination, tampering, or degradation of the evidence. By sealing the container, one provides a physical barrier that protects the contents from environmental factors such as moisture, dust, and other potential contaminants that could compromise the evidence.

Moreover, a sealed container also serves as a record of the evidence's handling, as breaking the seal can indicate that the evidence has been tampered with. This is crucial in maintaining the chain of custody, which is a necessary aspect of evidence management in the criminal justice system. The use of sealed containers is a best practice recognized in law enforcement and forensic science, reinforcing the importance of evidence preservation throughout the investigative process.