What is a Chain-of-Custody?

A Chain-of-Custody is a record that establishes the history of a sample, detailing everyone who has had possession of it from the moment it is collected until it is analyzed and ultimately disposed of. This documentation is crucial in laboratory testing, particularly in legal and regulatory contexts, because it helps ensure the integrity of the sample and validates that it has not been tampered with or altered during the testing process. By accurately tracking the movement and custody of samples, laboratories can provide reliable results and maintain accountability, which is essential for data credibility and legal admissibility.

The other options do not accurately describe the concept of Chain-of-Custody. While documentation of laboratory staff involved in testing may be important for quality assurance, it does not capture the comprehensive tracking of a sample’s possession and handling. Similarly, verifying water sample quality is part of testing but is separate from the Chain-of-Custody. The idea of ensuring confidentiality relates to data privacy and security rather than the physical handling and tracking of samples. Each of these aspects plays a role in laboratory operations, but the singular focus of the Chain-of-Custody is the continuous record of possession and handling of samples.