A 19-year-old woman is brought to the hospital by police 6 hours after alleged rape. She is tearful, disheveled, and reports being forcibly assaulted by an unknown man in a public park. On examination, she has bruises on both wrists, bite marks on her neck and breasts, and vaginal bleeding. The examining doctor obtains informed consent and collects high vaginal swabs, cervical swabs, and clothing. However, the doctor fails to document the exact time of collection, does not seal the specimens individually, and hands them directly to a police constable without a written receipt. Which of the following statements BEST describes the medico-legal consequence of this breach in protocol?