Cora, a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), wants to ensure that the authenticity of the evidence...

The correct answer is B. The CFE Manual states that authenticity is supported by establishing a chain of custody, which is both a process and a document showing who had possession of an item and what was done with it. The chain of custody is important because it helps prove that the evidence has not been materially altered or changed from the time it was collected until it is produced in court. That is exactly the concern raised in this question.

The Manual further explains that establishing chain of custody generally involves documenting each person who had control of the evidence, when and how it was received, how it was stored, whether any changes occurred while it was in that person’s possession, and how it left that person’s custody. It is therefore the primary method for preserving and proving authenticity.

The other options do not address authenticity as directly. Limiting release only to a judge is not the standard legal requirement. Requiring court orders from opposing parties may relate to access disputes, not authenticity. Preventing all others from ever handling the evidence is also unrealistic and unnecessary if possession is properly documented. For CFE purposes, the best practice is to maintain a clear, documented chain of custody, so B is the correct answer.