Understanding Chain of Custody in Laboratory Testing
Posted on : December 4, 2025
Understanding Chain of Custody in Laboratory Testing
Chain of custody documentation is fundamental to defensible laboratory data. This legal record traces sample possession from collection through final disposition, ensuring data integrity and regulatory compliance.
What Chain of Custody Proves
Chain of custody (COC) documentation demonstrates who collected the sample, when and where it was collected, how the sample was preserved and transported, every person who possessed the sample, and that samples weren’t tampered with or contaminated.
Key COC Elements
Sample Identification: Unique identifiers linking physical samples to documentation.
Collection Information: Date, time, location, and collector identification.
Preservation: Preservatives added and temperature requirements.
Custody Transfers: Signatures documenting every handoff.
Electronic Chain of Custody
Modern LIMS platforms replace paper COC forms with electronic documentation that’s more reliable and easier to retrieve. Electronic COC provides timestamped records, automatic capture of custody transfers, and complete audit trails.
