LAW 13,964/2019 AND THE CHAIN ​​OF CUSTODY: ADVANCES AND CHALLENGES IN THE PRESERVATION OF CRIMINAL EVIDENCE

Abstract

Law No. 13,964/2019, known as the “Anti-Crime Package,” incorporated Articles 158-A to 158-F into the Brazilian Code of Criminal Procedure, establishing specific rules for the chain of custody of criminal evidence. This article aims to analyze the advances, challenges, and prospects for improvement resulting from this regulation, emphasizing the preservation of evidence integrity and the procedural validity of forensic proof. The research, qualitative in nature and based on a bibliographic approach, relies on legal doctrine, legislation, and judicial precedents. The findings indicate that the law represents significant progress by systematizing the stages of evidence handling, thereby enhancing legal certainty and transparency in criminal prosecution. However, the lack of adequate infrastructure, specialized professionals, and technical training still hampers its effectiveness. The study also proposes measures for improvement, such as adopting digital tracking technologies, establishing national procedural standards, and strengthening interinstitutional integration. It concludes that institutional strengthening and technological modernization are essential to consolidate an efficient and ethical chain of custody consistent with the constitutional values of human dignity and the pursuit of truth.