The purpose of establishing and demonstrating ________ is to limit the number of individuals having contact with evidence, to minimize the possibility of contamination and to assure the integrity of the evidence.

The correct choice, which is chain of custody, refers to the process of maintaining and documenting the handling of evidence from the time it is collected until it is presented in court. The primary purpose of establishing a clear chain of custody is to limit the number of individuals who have contact with that evidence, thereby reducing the risk of contamination or tampering.

Maintaining a strict chain of custody assures that the integrity of the evidence is preserved. It helps demonstrate that the evidence presented in court is the same as what was originally collected at the scene. This transparency is crucial for validating the authenticity of the evidence and strengthens its admissibility in legal proceedings.

The other options are relevant to the handling of evidence but do not specifically address the importance of minimizing contact and ensuring integrity in the way that chain of custody does. Admissibility of evidence relates to whether evidence can be used in court, proper evidence packaging focuses on protecting the evidence during transport and storage, and the use of an evidence technician concerns the role of personnel in handling the evidence. While all are important aspects of evidence management, they do not encapsulate the same procedural integrity established by the chain of custody.