What is chain of custody in the clinical laboratory?

• A. Documentation of specimen handling from collection to results; required for forensic testing, legal cases, or traceable specimens.
• B. A log of all reagent lots used.
• C. A protocol for storing specimens.
• D. The sequence of tests performed on a specimen.

Answer: (A)

Chain of custody is the documented, unbroken record of every person who has handled a specimen and every transfer it undergoes from collection to the final result. This ensures the specimen’s integrity and that the results are reliable and legally defensible. A proper chain of custody includes details such as who collected the specimen, when and how it was transported, where and how it was stored, any interim transfers or aliquots, access logs, seals, accession numbers, dates, times, and signatures showing a clear, auditable trail from collection to disposal or reporting.

This concept is essential for forensic testing, legal cases, or any situation where a specimen must be traceable and verifiable. The other options describe different aspects of lab operations—reagent lot logging, storage protocols, or the sequence of tests performed—rather than the documented handling and transfer of the specimen itself.