Why is a Chain-of-Custody important?

A Chain-of-Custody is crucial because it serves as legal evidence for the integrity of environmental samples. When samples are collected and analyzed, proper documentation and management of these samples are essential to demonstrate that they have been protected from tampering or contamination during the entire process, from collection to analysis. This documentation establishes a clear record that can be relied upon in a legal context, ensuring that the results obtained are valid and that they adhere to standards required for legal or regulatory purposes.

Maintaining this chain helps to uphold the credibility of the testing process, especially in situations where the data may be used in court or for compliance with regulations. This aspect of the Chain-of-Custody ensures that anyone reviewing the data can trace it back to its source and verify that it has not been compromised, which is vital for substantiating claims related to environmental compliance or litigation.